Congress' Randeep Surjewala cries foul over CAG's revelation on Rafale deal, slams Centre

Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala on Thursday lashed out at Centre over Comptroller and Auditor General's report which raised concerns on  offset policy in Rafale deal. In report tabled in Parliament on September 23, CAG held that Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation and European missile maker MBDA were yet to deliver on its promise regarding transfer of techlogy. As per India's offset policy opted in 2005 for defence purchases above Rs.300 crore through imports, foreign vendor is required to invest at least 30% of value of purchase in country's defence or aero sectors. 

To meet ir offset obligations, foreign vendors can offer free transfer of techlogy to Indian firms. As per CAG, Dassault Aviation and MBDA h proposed to discharge 30% of offset obligation by offering high techlogy to Defence Research and Development Organisation. Despite DRDO seeking technical assistance for indigeus development of engine for Light Combat Aircraft, country's supreme auditor ted that foreign vendors h t confirmed transfer of this techlogy. Citing CAG report, Surjewala alleged that Modi government was misleing nation on Rafale deal.

Re: NSA Ajit Doval Holds Meeting With French Defence Minister After Rafale Induction

Re: After Rafale Jets, Dassault Aviation Interested In Dealing With India For More Aircraft

What is Rafale deal?

government of India signed a deal with French government and Dassault Aviation to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets to bolster India’s urgent requirement on eastern and western borders in September 2016. It costs more than 7.8 billion euros.  opposition parties led by Congress-led a frontal attack on this deal. Before 2019 Lok Sabha polls, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi h demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe various allegations like escalation of procurement price and undue benefits to a private Indian company.

On December 14, 2018, Supreme Court dismissed petitions demanding a court-monitored probe into intergovernmental deal between India and France to purchase Rafale jets from Dassault Aviation. On review pleas filed by petitioners such as Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie, and Prashant Bhushan, apex court reserved its verdict in May 2019. While prouncing judgment on vember 14, 2019, SC dismissed review petition, ding that it cant initiate a roving and fishing inquiry. On July 29, 2020, first 5 Rafale jets arrived at  Air Force Station in Ambala. y were formally inducted into Indian Air Force on September 10 in presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his French counterpart Florence Parly and or dignitaries. 

Re: Rafale Induction Ceremony Sees 'Sarv Dharma Puja'; Priests Of Many Faiths Bless Jets

(Im credits: PTI)