Rafale deal: Ambani gets favours; interest of nation ignored
Soon after former President of France Francois Hollande broke his silence over the Rafale deal, leaders of both India and France have been deeply embarrassed. Hollande’s statement has been such a blow to Indian government which had maintained that France decided all the terms and conditions of this deal. Modi government had recently said French company Dassault Aviation had chosen Anil Ambani’s company as their Indian partner and India had no role in this deal. In an interview, Hollande said Ambani’s company was suggested as partner by Indian government and they had no role in choosing an interlocutor. Even after this, the Indian government is attempting to say it is innocent in the matter, claiming there is no need to conduct any investigation in this regard.
The Rafale deal is now said to be the biggest defence scam ever, by the Indian government. This deal costs Rs one lakh crore, and Bofors scam diminishes in comparison to this. Opposition parties are pointing out that PM of a country favoured a particular industrialist, over the national interest at the cost of tax payers’ money. Modi government is giving out contradictory claims in this regard and is misleading the parliament on the whole. At one point, the government even tried to say this deal was finalized during the UPA regime.
Fact remains that UPA government had decided to buy 126 fighter Rafale jets from Dassault company to strengthen the combat power of air force. Congress government had taken enough care to ensure no corruption would take place in this deal since the party has been unable to wash off the Bofors stain from its face since many decades now. Hence it had set up armed forces committees from respective departments to ensure the deal was clean and efficient. It was mandatory to take the opinion and follow the recommendations made by these committees before finalizing the deal. The recommendations made by the committees had to undergo several levels of verification and acceptance by experts and members.
Rafale deal finalized by the UPA government had to pass through all these filters and then 126 jets were to be bought to strengthen six squadrons. UPA government was also striving to build capacities of Indian industries catering to defence sector as well. Long discussions were held in 2012 regarding Rafale deal to be finalized at appropriate prices of jets. Every jet would cost Rs 326 crore as per the deal made by the UPA government. According to that, 18 war planes were to be bought from France and the rest of 108 planes were to be assembled in Public Sector company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Ruling party changed in the meantime after the elections and Modi government continued the talks with France on Rafale deal. The CEO of Dassault came to India in 2015, and said the deal had reached final stages with all talks having reached a conclusive level. But a capitalist PM Modi changed all terms and conditions of this deal, by turning it upside down in a few days’ time to suit his preference.
As per the 'revised agreement', the union government was to buy only 36 jets instead of 126 as finalized by the UPA. And the price had also changed from Rs 670 crore per jet to Rs 1660 crore. Earlier deal had been about buying few units of jets and then the rest would be assembled at HAL so that the PSU could build capacity. But the Modi government did away with this clause and changed it to building all the 36 jets in France.
HAL was clearly set aside, as if mocking Make in India theme floated by the very government, in this deal. Instead of that, Anil Ambani’s new company Reliance Defence Limited was allowed to have a major chunk of this deal and be a partner in this. A joint agreement was signed with Anil Ambani company as well. At the same time, Reliance had entered into a mega film deal payment to be made to Hollande’s partner Julie Gayet.
Modi government defended the deal stating the jets to be supplied to India need special parts and hence the deal was hiked to above Rs 1000 crore per unit. But the committees with defence experts with them have not approved of this deal. Modi government has another version that the jets were needed in shorter time frame and hence the rates had to be changed. But this argument does not make a cut.
Though none of this is acceptable, even after all the changes, the first jet would come to India only in September 2019. ‘Na Khaunga Na Khaane dunga’ was PM Modi’s words. Now with Rafale deal showing his clear favouritism, has this fallen flat? The government has to set up a joint Parliamentary committee to investigate into the matter and conduct an impartial investigation to bring out the truth. With this, the government has to clear the doubts in people’s minds regarding the interest factor of this government.
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Illegal overseas recruitment busted in Mangaluru; POE Bengaluru urges caution among jobseekers
Here’s what you should do before attending any interviews for jobs abroad
Mangaluru, May 17 – In a crackdown on illegal overseas recruitment activities, Avaneesh Shukla, the Protector of Emigrants (POE), Bengaluru, under the Ministry of External Affairs, visited Mangaluru on Thursday after receiving credible information regarding unauthorised interviews being conducted for overseas job placements.
Speaking to Vartha Bharati on May 17, Shukla confirmed that two separate cases of illegal recruitment have come to light in the city. These actions, he said, were taken in close coordination with the Mangaluru City Police as part of their ongoing efforts to ensure safe and legal migration for Indian citizens.
According to Shukla, upon receiving information that a recruitment drive was about to take place in Bendoorwell, he immediately travelled to Mangaluru. By the time he reached, the planned interviews were already postponed. However, investigation revealed that the agency in question, identified as Z-Zone Consultancy, was operating without the mandatory license required under the Immigration Act, 1983.
A police case has already been registered against Z-Zone Consultancy. The POE confirmed that this agency was attempting to recruit individuals for jobs overseas without valid authorisation from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Shukla further revealed that a separate agency operating out of Pumpwell, which had been active on social media platforms for the past six months, was also caught engaging in similar illegal activities. The agency had been advertising jobs in Europe, Israel, Mauritius, and Gulf countries.
Following a joint raid with the Mangaluru Police, officials confiscated various documents including application forms that listed destinations applied for, as well as bio-data of candidates. The agency's Instagram and other social media handles were found flooded with advertisements promising overseas job opportunities.
An FIR has been registered against this agency as well, making this the third case in the last six months to be booked under the Immigration Act in Karnataka.
Prior to these two recent cases, a similar action was taken against another agency named Higher Glow Elegant Overseas Placement, also located in Bendur Valley. An FIR had been filed against this agency earlier for similar violations.
Shukla stressed that such fraudulent agencies are increasing in number and are preying on the dreams of job seekers, particularly those aiming to work abroad. He urged all citizens to verify the legitimacy of any recruitment agency before engaging with them.
Under Section 10 of the Immigration Act, 1983, no individual or organisation in India is permitted to carry out recruitment for overseas employment without a valid certificate issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. Shukla clarified that those who violate this law can be punished under Section 24 of the Act.
The punishment includes imprisonment up to two years or a fine of ₹2000. In case of a repeat offence, both the fine and imprisonment duration will be doubled.
What Should Jobseekers Do?
Shukla issued a clear advisory to all Indian citizens aspiring to work abroad. He said people must verify if the recruitment agent is registered with the Ministry of External Affairs. This can be done in two ways:
By visiting the official government website: www.emigrate.gov.in
By contacting the Protector of Emigrants (POE) Bengaluru office via email at: poebengaluru@mea.gov.in
The website also provides a complete list of registered recruitment agencies and contact details of all POE offices across India.
Help for Distressed Indian Workers Abroad
When asked about what assistance is available for Indians who may have been duped and are stranded or exploited abroad, Shukla assured that help is available.
Affected individuals can:
Email the POE office
Call the 24x7 toll-free helpline: 1800-11-3090
Even if the person stuck abroad is unable to call, their family or friends can contact the helpline. The issue will then be forwarded to the concerned POE, who will take necessary action.
Responding to a question on steps being taken to raise awareness, Shukla said that awareness programs are being actively carried out across various districts. He personally conducted a sensitisation program for the Mangaluru City Police six months ago and held a session at a local nursing college to educate students about legal migration processes.
The POE offices also collaborate with state governments and other departments to educate people and discourage them from approaching illegal agents.
Appeal to Jobseekers and Agents
In his remarks, Avaneesh Shukla made a strong appeal to all citizens and recruitment agencies.
“To all aspiring emigrants, I urge you to stay alert and approach only registered agents. If you go through an illegal agent, you are putting yourself and your family at risk,” he said.
He also sent a stern warning to agents conducting recruitment without a valid license, urging them to stop immediately and register with the Ministry if they wish to continue such work legally.
“Instead of risking legal action, come forward and work with us to ensure safe and legal migration,” he added.
Important Contacts for the Public
Official Website: www.emigrate.gov.in
Email: poebengaluru@mea.gov.in
24x7 Toll-free Helpline: 1800-11-3090
