CAG Rafale Report: Audit notes IAF did not define ASQRs properly

New Delhi, Feb 13: 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 tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Audit noted that the IAF did not define the ASQRs (Air Staff Qualitative Requirements) properly. As a result, none of the vendors could fully meet the ASQRs. ASQRs were changed repeatedly during the procurement process, states the CAG report, according to news agency ANI.

This created difficulties during technical and price evaluation and also affected integrity of competitive tendering, which is one of the main reasons for delay in acquisition process.Objectivity,equity and consistency of technical evaluation process wasn't evident in Technical Evaluation Report, shows the report, according to news agency ANI.

Earlier in the day, the much-awaited CAG report on the Rafale defence deal was tabled in the Upper House, even as Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other leaders protest outside Parliament.

The protesters could be seen throwing paper planes with pictures of PM Modi. Former PM Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi were also present.