CPI (M) Demands High Level Probe into Rafale Deal
The CPI(M) demanded a high level investigation into the Rafale deal and alleged that the CAG report's credibility was "severely compromised" because of conflict of interest of its auditor.
Quoting newspaper reports, CPI(M) in a Politburo statement said that not only was the Prime Minister's Office conducting parallel negotiations, it also "batted" for no guarantees.
'Rules Were Violated, Bent & Broken To Go Through Rafale Deal': Yashwant Sinha
Former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha, while speaking to The Quint on reports claiming Centre had waived anti-corruption provisions in the Rafale deal said that the recent revelations proved that PMO was directly involved in fixing the deal in April 2015.
"It kept pursuing and directly interfered in the negotiations throughout," he said. Sinha further raised the point that this interference occurred because the PM had ulterior motive. "It is very clear that rules were violated, broken and bent to go through the deal."
When asked whether these reports will affect the government in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the former BJP leader affirmed saying these revelations will create a difference during the polls.
CAG Sends Report on Rafeale to Finance Ministry and President
Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on 11 February, sent a new report on the controversial Rafale deal to the President and Finance Ministry.
The report, titled 'Capital Acquisitions of Air Force', does not deal with the offset contract, and puts the pricing of the aircraft in percentage, not rupee amount.
The CAG report is in two volumes, and comprises of 11 Air Force deals. The first volume is on 10 deals and the second is only on Rafale. The CAG had also redacted pricing of several other defence deals in the past on MoD's request.
'Notes Being Selectively Picked up to Prove a Point': Air Marshal SBP Sinha
Air Marshal SBP Sinha, who headed Rafale deal negotiations from Indian side told news agency ANI:
"Some notes being selectively picked up to prove a point. The fact is none of them are linked to Indian negotiating team. Indian negotiating team has forwarded its final report signed by all 7 members without dissent."
Govt to Table CAG Report on Rafale Deal in Parliament on 12 Feb
The government is scheduled to table the CAG report on Rafale jet fighter deal in Parliament on Tuesday, sources told PTI.
The CAG report will be tabled on Tuesday, a day before the end of the present Lok Sabha session. This is the last session of the 16th Lok Sabha as the general elections are due in April-May.