Jammu, Aug 27: In a desperate bid to corner Modi government prior to 2019 elections, Congress is fabricating lies and scams in the hope that it may succeed in maligning the clean image of Bharatiya Janata Party led NDA government. “Congress which made a record of scams during UPA II is trying desperately to paint BJP with the same brush. Terming the Rafale deal as “scam” is an attempt of Congress party at mud-slinging hoping that some mud would definitely stick and at least sow a seed of doubt in the mind of gullible public before the ‘do or die’ elections for the party which is struggling for its survival. Congress will never succeed in its nefarious design,” stated Brig Anil Gupta, State Spokesperson of BJP.
In a press conference held at the state office of the party, Brig Gupta tore to pieces the allegations levied by the Congress by giving point by point rebuttal. IGP (Retd.) S.S. Bijral and Balbir Ram Rattan, both State Spokespersons, were also present during the press conference.
Replying to the allegation that a loss of INR 41,205 crore has been caused to national exchequer by purchasing a 526 crore aircraft for 1670 crore based on the international bid opened in December 2012 by UPA II, Brig Gupta clarified that till 2014, UPA government failed to negotiate the contract with the manufacturer due to difference of opinion in fulfilling certain conditions of the Request for Proposal (RFP) pertaining to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). 526 crore was the “offer price” and not the final “negotiated price” and hence the two prices are incomparable. Also, this price quoted was of a basic aircraft without any add-ons. The present purchase of 36 aircraft in “fly-away” condition is custom-made and includes a lethal weapon package, performance based logistical support (ensuring 75% serviceability of fleet at all times), 13 India-specific capabilities, 50% offset, supply of spares, servicing, training of pilots, and state of art avionics. Also, the difference in value of dollar in 2012 and 2016 also needs to be kept in mind. You cannot compare apples and oranges, Brig Gupta advised the Congress. The present contract also includes Five year maintenance guarantee.
Rahul Gandhi had to eat a humble pie on the floor of the house during “No Confidence Motion” debate on the issue of “secrecy” clause which was also subsequently clarified by the French Ambassador. Still, Congress continues to rake up the issue just to mislead the people, claimed Brig Gupta. “Operational capability of a strategic platform depends on its configuration and no nation discloses it,” said the spokesperson. He further alleged that by insisting for the same Congress is trying to help the intelligence agencies of China and Pakistan.
Congress has also alleged about not following the laid down procedures and bypassing Cabinet Committee of Security by Mr Modi. CCS had given clearance to the proposal of purchasing 36 aircraft on government to government basis prior to Modi’s departure for Paris on 09 April, 2015. All procedures laid down in Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 for Inter Government Agreement (IGA) have been meticulously followed asserted Brig Gupta.
As regards favouring Reliance Defence of Anil Ambani, Brig Gupta said, “IGA was signed between two sovereign governments. No private individual, entity or firm was involved from the Indian side. The procurement process also does not involve any Indian Private Company.” As part of offset requirement the seller company is obliged to select its own Indian partners and the host government is not at all involved. The allegation of Mr Modi offering a bounty of INR 1,30,000 crore is a fig of imagination and baseless clarified Brig Gupta.
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