The much-awaited CAG report on Rafale Deal was tabled in Rajya Sabha today amid uproar, bring relieved for Narendra Modi led Centre Government who was continuously cornered by Opposition for alleged irregularities in the Rafale Deal. CAG Report tabled by Centre stated that the deal negotiated by the NDA was cheaper than that of the UPA proposed deal.
The NDA government saved almost 17% with the India-specific enhancements made in the deal in 2015 and that the UPA deal’s price benchmark was “unrealistically low.” ‘Compared to the 126 aircraft deal, India managed to save 17.08% money for the India Specific Enhancements in the 36 Rafale contract’ CAG report stated that was placed before the Rajya Sabha.
CAG report, tabled before Rajya Sabha today, says compared to the 126 aircraft deal, India managed to save 17.08% money for the India Specific Enhancements in the 36 Rafale contract. #RafaleDeal pic.twitter.com/mFydI83Led
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019
‘The delivery schedule of the first 18 Rafale aircraft is better than the one proposed in the 126 aircraft deal, by five months’ the CAG Report stated. The audit also noted that the Indian Air Force did not define the ASQRs (Air Staff Qualitative Requirements) properly. As a result, none of the vendors could fully meet the ASQRs. ASQRs were changed repeatedly during the procurement process, the CAG Report further stated.
It further said, ‘It created difficulties during technical & price evaluation & affected integrity of competitive tendering; one of the main reasons for a delay in the acquisition process. Objectivity, equity & consistency of the technical evaluation process wasn’t evident in the Technical Evaluation Report.
CAG Report: It created difficulties during technical&price evaluation&affected integrity of competitive tendering;one of the main reasons for delay in acquisition process.Objectivity,equity&consistency of technical evaluation process wasn't evident in Technical Evaluation Report. https://t.co/ZKYx7rxg1Z
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019
A Defence Ministry team in March 2015 recommended the scrapping of the 126 Rafale deal saying that Dassault Aviation was not the lowest bidder and EADS (European Aeronautic Defence & Space Company) was not fully compliant with the tender requirements, the CAG report further stated.
However, the CAG Report titled “Capital Acquisition in Indian Air Force, which is of 141 pages, has 32 pages dedicated to the Rafale deal has no mention of the Price of the Rafale Jets and has focused on the details of the deal for a period of five years, from 2012 to 2017. The report looks at 11 deals (five from the UPA era and six from the NDA era). However, the price comparison of the other deals with the Rafale deal in percentage has been given in the report.
Crucial Findings of the CAG Report on the Rafale Deal negotiated by NDA Government
- The deal negotiated by the NDA was cheaper than that of the UPA proposed deal.
- The India-Specific enhancements made under the NDA deal were 17.08% cheaper.
- NDA Rafale deal was 2.86% cheaper than the deal negotiated by the UPA, not 9% as claimed by the BJP-led government
- The CAG report has no mention of Pricing However.
- Defence Ministry team in March 2015 recommended the scrapping of the 126 Rafale deal saying that Dassault Aviation was not the lowest bidder.
- The CAG Report titled ‘Capital Acquisition in IAF’ has a total of 141 pages in which 32 pages were dedicated to Rafale Deal
- The flyaway price of the jet is the same as agreed in 2007 by the UPA government
CAG report on #RafaleDeal : A Defence Ministry team in March 2015 recommended the scrapping of the 126 Rafale deal saying that Dassault Aviation was not the lowest bidder and EADS (European Aeronautic Defence & Space Company) was not fully compliant with the tender requirements. pic.twitter.com/tjRujrf275
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019
Reacting on the CAG report, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, ‘“Satyameva Jayate – the truth shall prevail. The CAG Report on Rafale reaffirms the dictum. 2016 vs. 2007 terms – Lower price, faster delivery, better maintenance, lower escalation. It cannot be that the Supreme Court is wrong, the CAG is wrong and only the dynast is right. How does democracy punish those who consistently lied to the nation? The lies of ‘Mahajhootbandhan’ stand exposed by the CAG Report.
Satyameva Jayate” – the truth shall prevail. The CAG Report on Rafale reaffirms the dictum.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 13, 2019
The lies of ‘Mahajhootbandhan’ stand exposed by the CAG Report.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 13, 2019
Earlier in the day, Congress staged a Protest in Parliament Premises over Rafale Deal.
Delhi: Earlier visuals of protest by Congress party, in the Parliament premises over Rafale deal. pic.twitter.com/7ciCSjXmO4
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019
Meanwhile, Congress President Rahul Gandhi is expected to address a Press Briefing later in the day. Earlier on Sunday, Congress had made serious allegations on CAG Mehrishi and said he has a conflict of interest.
READ: Kapil Sibal alleges CAG Mehrishi of ‘Conflict of Interest’ In Rafale Deal; warns bureaucrats of loyalty to PM Modi
While addressing a Press Conference on Tuesday Congress President Rahul Gandhi also termed it as worthless. He said, ‘CAG report is a worthless report. I would term it as a ‘Chowkidar Auditor General Report’. It is Narendra Modi’s report, written for the Chowkidar, on behalf of the Chowkidar, for the Chowkidar by the Chowkidar’.
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