Cabinet panel not consulted before signing pact: Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress on Monday termed the Centre’s reply to the Supreme Court on Rafale fighter jet deal as a “virtual admission” the Cabinet Committee on Security was not consulted before finalising the deal with France.

While criticising the government for not disclosing the price of the Rafale jets, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, “There is a virtual admission the Cabinet Committee on Security was not consulted before. Will you consult after giving the contract or before the contract?” He added, “The government is trying to mislead as is being witnessed for the past one year, as it does not have an answer on this.” Claiming he got the government reply to SC from the media, Singhvi said, “This is like 20 pages and these 20 pages are like ‘Hamlet’ without the ‘Prince of Denmark.’ ‘The Prince of Denmark’ is the price. Price we still do not have. Prince of Denmark remains elusive.”