Council of Ministers briefed on Rafale deal
New Delhi, Sep 5 : Facing relentless allegations of corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal, the Modi government is bracing to counter the Opposition onslaught more effectively. On Wednesday, the Union Council of Ministers was briefed about the deal by the National Security Advisor (NSA) besides a top defence official.
A presentation was made to the Council of Ministers giving details of the deal signed by the Modi government with French company Dassault Aviation in April 2016 to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets in fly-away condition. It explaining how the deal was better than the one finalised by the UPA government in 2007, sources said.
The Council of Ministers was told during the two-and-a-half-hour meeting that the allegations levelled by the Opposition about favouring a private entity in giving the offset contract at the cost of state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) were "baseless".
The presentation made by NSA Ajit Doval and Secretary, Defence Production, Ajay Kumar, focused on how the deal signed by the Modi government was "at least 20 per cent" cheaper than the one signed by UPA as it entailed transfer of technology and weaponry.
"The 36 fighter jets will be delivered in a fly-away condition. Not a single equipment is being manufactured in India. So how come this private company has been favoured," Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters in response to a question at the formal Cabinet briefing, though he refused to divulge the details of what transpired in the Council of Ministers' meeting.
"I am not supposed to disclose the details of the Council of Ministers meet here,a Jaitley, who has resumed office last month after a kidney transplant, said.
The purpose of the briefing is understood to equip the Ministers with relevant information about the deal to enable them to counter the opposition's allegations in a more informed and focused way.
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
