'Price information too sensitive for anyone but judges'

NEW DELHI: When the Supreme Court asked the government on October 31 for pricing details of the Rafale jets, attorney general KK Venugopal had stoutly resisted the order, saying the cost, weaponry fitments and technical advantages of the aircraft were covered under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and the government may not be able to provide details of the fully loaded version to the court.

The SC had said if the Centre intended not to reveal the details sought by it, then it could file an affidavit giving reasons. Asked what prompted the government to change its stand and submit the pricing details in the sealed cover to the SC, defence ministry sources said the deal was transparent and in the best interest of the country in the given security scenario.

"The government has nothing to hide. But the price details are too sensitive and secret as anyone getting wind of it could seriously jeopardise the country's security concerns. That is why the price details are being given only to the judges dealing with the PILs on this issue," a source said.