CAG Rafale report: Modi's deal cheaper by 2.86% than UPA's era
New Delhi, Feb 13: The much-awaited CAG report on Capital Acquisitions in Indian Air Force has been tabled in Rajya Sabha, on Wednesday, it also includes the details of Rafale deal. The Rafale fighter jet deal signed in 2016 was 2.86 per cent cheaper than the UPA's deal in 2007, revealed Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its report, which is of 141 pages, has 32 pages dedicated to the Rafale deal. tabled in Rajya Sabha today.
[IAF did not define ASQRs properly, says CAG report on Rafale deal]
The report titled 'Capital Acquisition in Indian Air Force' was presented by Junior Finance Minister P Radhakrishnan.
The Rafale fighter jet deal for the procurement of 36 fighter jets from France's Dassault Rafale has generated a massive controversy, with the Congress-led Opposition gunning for the Narendra Modi government over charges of alleged corruption and impropriety.
Lies of 'Mahajhootbandhan' stand exposed by CAG report': Arun Jaitley
Delhi: Earlier visuals of protest by Congress party, in the Parliament premises over Rafale deal. pic.twitter.com/7ciCSjXmO4
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019
The PM defended his personal RAFALE bypass deal on 2 counts :
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 13, 2019
1. Better Price
2. Faster Delivery
Both have been demolished by the revelations in the Hindu today.
Watch my LIVE Press Conference on the #RafaleScam at 3.30 PM today. https://t.co/IzyCaHeyIM
Delhi: Trinamool Congress MPs protest wearing black clothes against the Central government in the Parliament premises. pic.twitter.com/QVnh1uqR8x
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019
However, it is unlikely that the CAG report will reveal the most contentious issue of pricing of the Rafale fight jets. The Congress-led opposition has time and again accused the government of buying the Rafale jets at double the prices negotiated during the previous UPA government, thus causing a loss to the exchequer.
The Congress party said Rajiv Mehrishi, the current CAG of India, was part of the decision making the process for the Rafale deal. Mehrishi was the finance secretary when the Rafale deal was signed.
The ruling BJP, in turn, accused the Congress of attacking the institution of the CAG. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has defended his party's stand.
"We are not questioning the institution. But the gentleman who is preparing CAG report was part of this decision-making process," Rahul Gandhi said in press conference.