New Delhi, Feb 9: Continuing its attack on the government on the Rafale deal, the Congress on
Friday charged the NDA of sacrificing national interest by refusing to answer
on the loss to the public exchequer.
Addressing a joint press conference here, AICC media incharge
Randeep Surjewala and AICC spokesperson Rajeev Gowda, questioning the silence
of the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and the Finance Minister on the
‘purchase price’ of Rafale fighter jet negotiated by the NDA, charged the
Defence Minister of making a ‘U turn’ on her earlier statement agreeing to
share details in this regard.
They also charged the Defence Minister and the Finance Minister of speaking in different voices on the issues. "What is the price per aircraft of the 36 Rafale aircraft being purchased by the Modi Government. Did the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman not agree to share the price of aircraft in a press conference at Raksha Bhawan on November 17, 2017. Why are the PM, the Defence Minister and the Finance Minister hiding the purchase price,’’ Mr Surjewala said.
Charging the Defence Minister and the Finance Minister of speaking in different voices, he said, "on February 5, 2018, the Defence Minister refused to disclose the price of Rafale aircraft on the grounds of a ‘secrecy agreement’ that presumably came to an end on January 24, 2018. On February 8, 2018, the Finance Minister refuses to disclose the price on the grounds of Nation interest. Why are the two ministers of the government speaking in two different voices? Who are they trying to shield. ? Why is the price of the aircraft shrouded in ‘secrecy’ and 'cover up’?’’
Mr Surjewala also questioned whether, as against price of Rafale aircraft negotiated by the previous UPA Government, as per an international bid opened on December 12, 2012, at 80.95 million US Dollars (Rs 526.1-cr), the Modi Government’s per aircraft negotiated price was Rs 241.66-million US dollars(Rs 1570.8-cr) as per current exchange rates.
He also questioned whether Qatar purchased 12 Rafale fighter jets in November 2017 for 108.133-million US dollars per aircraft (Rs 694.80-cr) as per current exchange rates.
"If so, why has the Modi Government paid such astronomically higher prices per aircraft,’’Mr Surjewala asked.
He also questioned as to why no clearance of the cabinet committee for security was obtained prior to purchase of the aircraft and also why the state owned Hindustan Aeronautical Limited was bypassed in favour of a private company with no prior experience in defence production. UNI
They also charged the Defence Minister and the Finance Minister of speaking in different voices on the issues. "What is the price per aircraft of the 36 Rafale aircraft being purchased by the Modi Government. Did the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman not agree to share the price of aircraft in a press conference at Raksha Bhawan on November 17, 2017. Why are the PM, the Defence Minister and the Finance Minister hiding the purchase price,’’ Mr Surjewala said.
Charging the Defence Minister and the Finance Minister of speaking in different voices, he said, "on February 5, 2018, the Defence Minister refused to disclose the price of Rafale aircraft on the grounds of a ‘secrecy agreement’ that presumably came to an end on January 24, 2018. On February 8, 2018, the Finance Minister refuses to disclose the price on the grounds of Nation interest. Why are the two ministers of the government speaking in two different voices? Who are they trying to shield. ? Why is the price of the aircraft shrouded in ‘secrecy’ and 'cover up’?’’
Mr Surjewala also questioned whether, as against price of Rafale aircraft negotiated by the previous UPA Government, as per an international bid opened on December 12, 2012, at 80.95 million US Dollars (Rs 526.1-cr), the Modi Government’s per aircraft negotiated price was Rs 241.66-million US dollars(Rs 1570.8-cr) as per current exchange rates.
He also questioned whether Qatar purchased 12 Rafale fighter jets in November 2017 for 108.133-million US dollars per aircraft (Rs 694.80-cr) as per current exchange rates.
"If so, why has the Modi Government paid such astronomically higher prices per aircraft,’’Mr Surjewala asked.
He also questioned as to why no clearance of the cabinet committee for security was obtained prior to purchase of the aircraft and also why the state owned Hindustan Aeronautical Limited was bypassed in favour of a private company with no prior experience in defence production. UNI
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