Former Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Monday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in connection with the deals for the purchase of 43 Airbus aircraft and sharing of Air India’s profitable routes with international airlines.
Mr. Panel’s statement is being recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act at the agency’s headquarters. He had earlier failed to appear on June 6, after which the ED had given him two alternative dates, June 10 or 11.
The ED had earlier quizzed several Air India officials and also recorded the statements of the then Civil Aviation Secretary and officials involved in processing and finalising the agreements.
The agency is likely to seek clarifications from Mr. Patel on certain commitments that were initially made by the supplier, but not included in the purchase agreement for the acquisition of the 43 aircraft. One condition was for setting up training facilities.
The 2011 Comptroller and Auditor-General report mentions that the Empowered Group of Ministers minutes for the aircraft acquisition from Airbus reflected the commitment that a training centre would be built by Airbus in India at an approximate investment of $75 million.
“Even though Airbus was not the leading company, it would assist the creation of MRO facilities in India in association with promoters. The estimated investment was of the order of $100 million,” the report said.
Mr. Patel may also be asked about the reasons for sharing of Air India's profitable routes with three international airlines, Emirates, Air Arabia and Qatar. The ED has accused lobbyist Deepak Talwar of receiving about ₹272 crore from the airlines for the job.