Modi government lied on India-specific enhancements in Rafale deal: Congress
Chandigarh, Sep 8 : Congress on Saturday alleged that Modi government lied on the India-specific enhancements in the Rs 41,000-crore Rafale deal and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's reply.
The party said India-specific enhancements in the NDA deal were the same as the UPA deal.
"Yet the Prime Minister and Defence Minister are lying on enhancement of cost per aircraft from Rs 5,26 crore to Rs 1,670 crore," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala in a statement.
"Modi government has been caught in a web of lies of its own making," he added.
The party said the deal caused a massive loss of Rs 41,000 crore to public exchequer by purchasing the 36 Rafale aircraft with the same configuration at thrice the price i.e. Rs. 526 crore per aircraft during Congress-UPA to Rs 1,670 crore per aircraft during Modi government.
The party said the deal squandered away 'national interests' by forgoing the transfer of technology to public sector undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL).
Surjewala said Modi, Sitharaman and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley "brazenly lied" when they tried to whitewash Modi government's "sins" by implying that the aircraft bought by the BJP government was different on account of India-specific enhancements.
"Information in public domain affirms that according to the ‘Air Staff Qualitative Requirements' (ASQR) provided by the Indian Air Force (IAF) there were 13 India-specific enhancements demanded by India during the 126 aircraft MMRCA Contract issued by UPA government," said Surjewala.
It included Radar enhancement, Helmet-mounted display, Towed decoy system, Low band jammer, Radio altimeter and Ability to start and operate from High Altitude Airfields.
"Combat aircraft tender issued by Congress government clearly envisaged ‘full weaponry' and ‘transfer of technology', which is missing in the BJP government's deal.
"RFP issued by Congress government clearly states cost of initial purchase, transfer of technology and licensed production," said the leader.
The party said claim of Modi government that cost is increased on account on additional technical specifications was blatantly false.
"The Rafale aircraft being purchased earlier (UPA-Congress Govt) and now (Modi government) including ‘its associated systems and weapons' are the same as tested and approved by Indian Air Force during UPA-Congress government," he added.
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Samson's unbeaten 87 powers CSK to eight-wicket win over DC
New Delhi (PTI): Sanju Samson bossed the chase with authority, anchoring a modest 156-run target with a fluent 87 not out as Chennai Super Kings outclassed Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in the IPL here on Tuesday.
Samson's knock came off just 52 balls with seven fours and six sixes, batting through the innings as CSK completed the chase in just 17.3 overs giving a huge boost to their net run-rate.
Electing to bat on a tricky surface, Delhi Capitals were restricted to 155/7.
West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein set the tone with the new ball, returning tidy figures of 1/19, including 14 dot balls.
Reduced to 69/5 in 11 overs, Delhi found some late impetus through Tristan Stubbs (38; 31 balls) and Sameer Rizvi (40 not out; 24 balls), who stitched together a crucial 65-run (off 47 balls) stand to give the innings a respectable total.
Brief Scores:
Delhi Capitals: 155 for 7 in 20 overs (Tristan Stubbs 38, Sameer Rizvi 40 not out; Noor Ahmed 2/22)
Chennai Super Kings 159 for two in 17.3 overs (Sanju Samson 87 not out, Kartik Sharma 41 not out). CSK win by eight wickets.
