NDA's Rafale deal 2.8% cheaper than UPA's, finds CAG report
In what is sure to boost the confidence of BJP at Centre, the CAG report on Rafale deal, tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, underlined that India saved money. As compared to the initial deal, signed under UPA, the NDA saved 17.08% of the money while purchasing the jets from France. On Tuesday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi had dismissed the CAG report.
The Opposition led by Congress has been attacking BJP over Rafale for months now. RaGa has repeatedly claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi ignored the norms needed for defense deals to help Anil Ambani, whose Reliance Defense is an offset partner. In his rallies, he said PM Modi took money from farmers and small businessmen and gave it to Ambani, an allegation BJP has denied.
While noting that India saved money in the purchase, the CAG report also underlined that IAF asked for 'unnecessary' India-specific enhancements. Soon after the report was tabled, the Upper House was adjourned.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had also said it was satisfied with how the Rafale deal was signed and dismissed a plea seeking probe into it. Announcing the verdict, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had said, "The power of judicial review varies from subject to subject. We studied the materials carefully, interacted with defense officials, we are satisfied with the decision making process."
The findings of the Supreme Court and the CAG have given the Centre an opportunity to slam RaGa. In a verbose Facebook post he shared on Tuesday, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asked how many lies will be peddled to save a 'sinking dynast'. He added RaGa lied about the absence of Defense Acquisition Council, CCS, and Contract Negotiation Committee to suit his interests.
