CAG report on Rafale deal tabled in Rajya Sabha; Modi's deal cheaper by 2.86% than UPA
New Delhi, Feb 13: The much-awaited CAG report on Capital Acquisitions in Indian Air Force has been tabled in Rajya Sabha, on Wednesday, it also includes the details of Rafale deal. The Rafale fighter jet deal signed in 2016 was 2.86 per cent cheaper than the UPA's deal in 2007, revealed Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its report, which is of 141 pages, has 32 pages dedicated to the Rafale deal. tabled in Rajya Sabha today.
The report titled 'Capital Acquisition in Indian Air Force' was presented by Junior Finance Minister P Radhakrishnan.
The Rafale fighter jet deal for the procurement of 36 fighter jets from France's Dassault Rafale has generated a massive controversy, with the Congress-led Opposition gunning for the Narendra Modi government over charges of alleged corruption and impropriety.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi has fired a fresh salvo at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Rafale deal. Gandhi on Wednesday contended that PM Modi “defended his personal Rafale bypass deal” with arguments that the new price for the fighter jets is lower than the one proposed during the Congress-led UPA regime and that the delivery will be faster.
“Lies of ‘Mahajhootbandhan’ stand exposed by CAG report”, said Arun Jaitley in a series of tweets as the CAG report was tabled in the Upper House of the Parliament today. “Satyameva Jayate” – the truth shall prevail. The CAG Report on Rafale reaffirms the dictum, read his tweet.
The Upper House of the Parliament has been adjourned till 1 pm owing ruckus that followed after the CAG report on Capital Acquisitions in Indian Air Force, which includes details of the Rafale deal, was tabled in Rajya Sabha.
CAG report, tabled before Rajya Sabha today, says compared to the 126 aircraft deal, India managed to save 17.08% money for the India Specific Enhancements in the 36 Rafale contract.
CAG report on Capital Acquisitions in Indian Air Force has been tabled in Rajya Sabha, it also includes the details of Rafale deal.
Delhi: Earlier visuals of protest by Congress party, in the Parliament premises over Rafale deal. pic.twitter.com/7ciCSjXmO4
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019
Meanwhile, Congress national president Rahul Gandhi and UPA-chairperson Sonia Gandhi arrived in the Parliament premises Wednesday and joined protest against the Centre by raising slogans outside Parliament.
The PM defended his personal RAFALE bypass deal on 2 counts :
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 13, 2019
1. Better Price
2. Faster Delivery
Both have been demolished by the revelations in the Hindu today.
Watch my LIVE Press Conference on the #RafaleScam at 3.30 PM today. https://t.co/IzyCaHeyIM
Congress national president Rahul Gandhi will address a press conference over Rafale row at around 3:30 pm, he tweeted this morning.
Delhi: Trinamool Congress MPs protest wearing black clothes against the Central government in the Parliament premises. pic.twitter.com/QVnh1uqR8x
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019
Trinamool Congress MPs are seen protesting wearing black clothes against the Central government in the Parliament premises.
However, it is unlikely that the CAG report will reveal the most contentious issue of pricing of the Rafale fight jets. The Congress-led opposition has time and again accused the government of buying the Rafale jets at double the prices negotiated during the previous UPA government, thus causing a loss to the exchequer.
The Congress party said Rajiv Mehrishi, the current CAG of India, was part of the decision making the process for the Rafale deal. Mehrishi was the finance secretary when the Rafale deal was signed.
The ruling BJP, in turn, accused the Congress of attacking the institution of the CAG. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has defended his party's stand.
"We are not questioning the institution. But the gentleman who is preparing CAG report was part of this decision-making process," Rahul Gandhi said in press conference.