Rafale deal turning out to be 'mother scam': Congress
New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi met French President Emannuel Macron on Saturday, the Congress slammed the BJP government over the Rafale deal, saying it is turning out to be yet another "mother scam".
Asking the government to come clear on the deal, Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said: "You must be aware that for the last 3-4 days, we have been speaking (in Parliament) about the Rafale deal. For three days continuously we have been asking, but not one word from the government, not even denial.
"This is turning out to be yet another mother scam which I think the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government must come clear on," the Congress leader said.
"Where are the spokespersons of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the ministers -- Piyush Goyal, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman? Not one word about Rafale deal," he added.
Vadakkan said that the BJP's attempt to cover up the deal was falling flat. "On April 8, 2016, the Foreign Secretary said the Prime Minister is not going to take up the Rafale deal in his trip to France. On the contrary, the deal was signed. Where was the Defence Minister at that time?"
Vadakkan also said India had paid high price to France for the purchase of the fighter aircraft compared to prices paid by countries like Egypt and Qatar.
"It was not some charity. The government should answer where the money has gone. It is very strange indeed. What is it that they are trying to cover up? What is it that they are trying to hide," he said.
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
