HAL not contending to be offset partner of any OEM: HAL CMD R. Madhavan
Bengaluru, Nov 7: Amid a political slugfest over the Rafale fighter jet deal, state-run HAL's Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan Wednesday said the aircraft manufacturing company is contending not to be an offset partner of any original equipment manufacturer.
But it would like to be a "total technology transfer partner" for production of aircraft, he said.
Madhavan's reply came when he was asked to clarify on one among many charges that defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had been deprived of an offset contract from the Rafale deal.
"We are not contending to be an offset partner to any OEM, rather HAL would like to be a total technology transfer partner for production of aircraft," he told PTI here.
He also said HAL's basic focus was on manufacturing of aircraft, helicopters, associated accessories and their repair and overhaul, and not in garnering offset business.
Production of aircraft from transfer of technology is totally different from offsets, according to him.
Some portion of the offset business from various other programmes were being administered at the HAL, but it does not form a major business, Madhavan said.
"HAL will continue to get these offset business," he added.
The Congress recently accused the government of forcing Dassault Aviation to make Reliance Defence its offset partner for the Rs 58,000 crore deal to purchase 36 Rafale jets.
It alleged that the government was helping the Anil Ambani group get a contract worth Rs 30,000 crore from the deal.
However, the Reliance Group, in a statement, has said Dassault Aviation's investment in Reliance Airport Developers Limited has no link with the Rafale fighter jet deal, and has accused the Congress of resorting to "blatant lies" for political gains.
Reliance has also said the Indian government, the French government, Dassault and Reliance have clarified on multiple occasions that there was no offset contract for Rs 30,000 crore to Reliance as alleged by the Congress.
Earlier, in an interaction with the media on November 2, Madhavan had said that the HAL was completely out of the Rafale deal, but at one point of time, it was part of it, which did not kick-off.
"We are not in that (Rafale) business now. We were in it at one point of time. It is a direct purchase by the government and (I) cannot make any comments on pricing and policy changes," he had said.
Escalating his campaign against the Modi government over the Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi last month accused it of destroying the "strategic asset", state-run aerospace company HAL, and told its employees that "Rafale is your right."
In an interaction, Gandhi had sought to reach out to present and former HAL employees, alleging that "temples of modern India are being attacked and destroyed; we cannot allow it to be done."
The Congress has also been demanding answers on why the HAL was not involved in the deal as finalised during the UPA regime.
However, the BJP and Reliance Defence have dismissed all the allegations as false.
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Bearys Institute of Technology Celebrates Constitution Day
(Press Release)- Mangalore, November 28, 2024: The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Bearys Institute of Technology (BIT), in association with the BIT NSS, organized a Constitution Day event under the theme “My Constitution, My Pride.” The event, held at the International Seminar Hall, saw active participation from students, NSS volunteers, and faculty.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Pushparaj, a distinguished academic from SDM Law College, Mangalore, who highlighted the significance of constitutional principles in shaping a progressive and inclusive society.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Head of Mechanical Engineering Department Dr. Vasantha Kumar, followed by an inaugural address by Dr. S I Manjur Basha, Principal of BIT.
The ceremony featured notable activities, including the watering of a plant to symbolize growth and sustainability, the oath taking of constitution's Preamble led by Dr. Mohamed Kafeel Delvi.
The Chief Guest, Prof. Pushparaj, was introduced by Dr. Imran Mokashi,Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The event was coordinated by Dr. Mohamed Kafeel Delvi, NSS Program Officer & Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Sandeep Nambiar S, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Saifulla, a student of the 3rd Semester, Mechanical Department, served as the Master of Ceremonies, ensuring the program flowed seamlessly.
This celebration reinforced the importance of the Constitution and inspired attendees, to uphold its values in their daily lives.
