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,$ $$ RNI Regn. No. MPENG/2004/13703, Regd. No. L-2/BPLON/41/2006-2008 0**0 10-22 3*3*4526 !" #$%&'( )!' + )!#)&(* *&$!"*"#* $!&"+*!!*#& +,)- !"#$%#' (()!#*)% ! " #$%&'#()*$ !"#$% !&' ()*)' )" +( - - R R down the requirement to limit cash outgo cannot be consid- - ' 0% ered as saving,” the CAG report said. The Rafale deal was inked in 2016 after Prime Minister 1- Narendra Modi and then Staff Qualitative Requirements French President Minister (ASQRs). The Ministry said Francois Hollande in a joint he much-awaited this was also not in consonance statement on April 10, 2015 TComptroller and Auditor with the basic framework pro- announced an inter-govern- he Opposition and ruling General (CAG) report on the vided by the Joint Statement of mental agreement (IGA) to Tparty crossed swords over acquisition process of 36 fight- April 10, 2015 by the Defence procure 36 jets from France in the CAG report on the Rafale er jets on Wednesday said the Acquisition Council that air- fly away condition. deal on Wednesday. NDA Government deal was craft must have same configu- The NDA Government Continuing with his ques- L 2.86 per cent cheaper than the ration. went in for the IGA after scrap- tioning of the Rafale deal, UPA’s offer in 2007, but the Moreover, during negotia- ping the nearly decade long Congress president Rahul “The argument given by Government made major con- tion of 36 aircraft in 2015, in negotiations under the UPA Gandhi noted that the CAG the Prime Minister for the cessions to the French vendor view of the huge cost escalation regime for procuring 126 medi- report did mention the dissent new Rafale deal was price and by including unwarranted India and the reduced number of air- um multi-role aircraft note by negotiators and said he faster delivery. This has been specific enhancement that led craft to be purchased, the (MMRCA) often termed as didn’t think it’s worth the paper demolished,” he said, citing a to price escalation. Indian negotiation team head- mother of all deals then. Rafale, it’s written on. However, he said note by officials. “You say there The report said that as per ed by the Deputy Chief of Air manufactured by Dassault the report demolished the was no scam, then why are you the deal signed by the NDA Staff proposed to reduce the Aviation of France emerged as Government’s argument on afraid of ordering a JPC,” he regime the delivery of the air- number of Indian specific the lowest bidder but differ- # -/% % / price and faster delivery of the said, reiterating his demand for craft would be faster by just one enhancements. But the ences over various issues - !" fighter jets. a joint parliamentary commit- month compared to the UPA Dassault Aviation, manufac- delayed the final inking of the “The CAG report is a tee to look into the deal. schedules. turer of Rafale jets, stated since deal. The MMRCA envisaged cover-up. It ignores the cost of On Tuesday, Rahul had While the CAG report con- its price was a total package the buying 18 jets in flyaway con- ! $ the missing Bank Guarantee accused the PM of “treason” tradicted the claims made by Defence Ministry would have dition and the remaining to be and glosses over the suspect and violating the Official several Government Ministers to take up the matter with the manufactured by the public costs for India-Specific Secrets Act by acting as Anil that the current price of Rafale French Government. sector aviation giant Hindustan Enhancements,” Rahul said. Ambani’s “middleman” in the jets in flyaway condition was The Defence Ministry, Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Contending that Congress Rafale jet contract, citing an nine per cent cheaper than the while rejecting the IAF sug- under a transfer of technology argument of “all institutions email to claim Ambani was UPA’s deal, it said the price of gestion, said reduction of pact. The overall deal at that * $ % $ tee as suggested by the Law Flagging concerns over this were wrong” and only “Dynast aware of the deal days before the 36 fighter jets was 17.08 per Indian specific enhancements time was pegged about 45,000 Ministry while inking the issue, the CAG in its report said is right” cannot stand on its leg, India and France finalised it. cent cheaper after equipping it was not considered after due crores. '* # $ 59,000-crore deal for 36 Rafale in case of a breach of agree- Union Minister Arun Jaitley Reliance Defence, in a with India Specific Enhan- deliberation as it was a tempo- While the Congress has all fighter jets, the Comptroller ment, India would now have to responded by saying that the statement, had refuted cements under the new deal. rary deferment only for cost along alleged wrongdoing in $ # and Auditor General (CAG) first settle the matter through Congress and Opposition par- Congress allegation saying the The report tabled in reduction measure. The CAG the Rafale deal claiming that has questioned the wisdom of arbitration directly with the ties stand exposed following “proposed MoU” mentioned in Parliament, noted that the noted that four of these the NDA Government bought # # %# #$ settling for a ‘Letter of Comfort’ French vendors. the CAG report. the email referred to its coop- Government overruled the IAF enhancements were stated to be the each aircraft at a huge cost from France and highlighted If the arbitration award “The Government’s argu- eration with Airbus Helicopter. suggestion to postpone six not required in the technical of 1,600 crore as against the #, $ the drawbacks in its report goes in favour of India and ment on price and faster deliv- But even the CAG could- enhancements till more Rafale and staff evaluations. The cost UPA offer of 560 crore. tabled in Parliament on Dassault Aviation, the manu- ery of Rafale jets has been n’t hide that it may take up to aircraft were procured in of these four enhancements However, the Government in Wednesday. The audit report facturers of Rafale, fails to demolished. The only reason 10 years for the 36 Rafale jets future. The IAF proposal was constituted about 14 per cent of Parliament two years back said noted that the 2007 UPA pro- honour it, India will have to for the new deal is to give to be delivered,” Rahul alleged not accepted by the Defence the Indian specific enhance- the cost of each aircraft with- aking exception to the posed deal included a 15 per exhaust all available legal reme- 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani,” at Press conference on Ministry which said this would ments contracted cost. The out weapons was 670 crores. TIndian Government not cent bank guarantee against dies, it said. the Congress chief alleged at a Wednesday. tantamount to dilution of Air Ministry stated that “scaling Continued on Page 4 insisting on sovereign guaran- advance payments. Continued on Page 4 Press conference. Continued on Page 4 !# ! $ #$! % & '!$ "# " (R )# rime Minister Narendra he Samajwadi Party (SP) on PModi on Wednesday TWednesday looked badly took potshots at Congress divided with its chief patron president Rahul Gandhi over Mulayam Singh Yadav praising the Rafale issue and made a the BJP and Prime Minister strong pitch for electing a Narendra Modi, while its majority Government in members condemning them. national interest. Before Mulayam shocked He said the majority everyone by praising Modi and Government brings to pride to #$%&' # % ' &)$%#'% wishing him success in 2019 the country in the world forum. #* +& , -$ Lok Sabha poll, SP MPs in the Modi was addressing the last Lok Sabha were aggressively sitting of the 16th Lok Sabha on raising the issue of Yogi its last day. !" Government’s preventing his He said the House did not son Akhilesh Yadav from fly- witness any earthquake, an hai ki earthquake ko bhi pach- realised the difference between ing to Prayagraj on the pretext apparent reference to claims of ha gaya aur koi jahaz bhi utni embracing someone and - $) Modi’s last day as Prime agreement between India and Centre over the CBI’s bid to of law and order. On the last Rahul that his revelation on oonchi par nahi ja paya (They imposing oneself...The inso- Minister in Parliament. France because as Prime question Kolkata Police day of the 16th Lok Sabha, Rafale would create tremors. tried to fly aeroplanes but our lence reflected through eyes.. “It is Prime Minister’s last Minister, he is accountable to Commissioner Rajeev Kumar Mulayam moved away from his Taking a swipe at Rahul, strong democracy and the dig- This game was seen in this . /# R0 day as elected leader in Par- the nation. at his residence, saying she had party’s line and heaped praise who was not present in the nity of Lok Sabha did not House,” he said. liament today,” she said after “Modi Government has not seen a Government that on Modi and blessed him for a House at that time, the PM allow it or any earthquake),” he Narrating another inci- # # the Lok Sabha was adjourned “captured” the Anti Corruption “stooped so low”. second innings as Prime referred to the Congress pres- said. dent, the PM said when “I was sine die. Everyone is afraid of Branch in the last four years, he Mamata further said while Minister of the country, a sen- ident’s hug and “winking” The PM also referred to an responding to Motion of Gabbar Singh. There are two of alleged. Attacking Prime the Congress and the Trina- timent acknowledged by the episode, saying it was a new incident in the house in the Thanks on the President’s them — (Prime Minister Minister, Kejriwal sarcastical- mool Congress will contest BJP leader with folded hands.

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