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PM raised ‘Benchmark Price’ for Rafale despite objection raised by Defence, Law Ministry: Cong

PM raised ‘Benchmark Price’ for Rafale despite objection raised by Defence, Law Ministry: Cong

New Delhi, Nov 15 (UNI) Alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi enhanced the 'Benchmark Price' for Rafale by Euro 3 Billion that is Rs 22, 743 crore despite objection raised by ‘Air Acquisition Wing’ of Defence Ministry, Law Ministry and also the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar , the Congress on Thursday reiterating demand for a Joint Parliamentary Commission(JPC) into the Rafale deal.
Addressing a press conference here, AICC media incharge Randeep Singh Surjewala asked, ''New Revelations further expose brazen Corrupt Practices in Rafale Scam! The entire spectrum of deception lies at the doorstep of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi enhanced the ‘Benchmark Price’ for Rafale by Euro 3 Billion i.e Rs 22,743 Crores. Mr Sudhanshu Mohanty, Head of Finance, Ministry of Defence (uptil May 2016) has ‘spilled the beans’ indicting the Modi Government for corrupt practices in fixing a higher ‘benchmark price’ i.e from Euros 5.2 Billion (Rs 39,422 Cr) to Euros 8.2 Billion (Rs 62,166 Cr) for Rafale aircrafts. The ‘Negotiating Team’ had a serious dispute on the fixing of ‘Benchmark Price’, which was referred to the then Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar.
The then Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar as also the ‘Defence Acquisition Council’ (DAC) headed by Defence Minister and the three Armed Forces Chiefs also didn’t agree and decide on the higher ‘Benchmark Price’ of Euros 8.2 Billion (Rs 62,166 Cr). DAC referred it to ‘Cabinet Committee on Security’ (CCS) headed by PM Modi. However, overruling all these objections, PM Modi in CCS accepted the higher ‘Benchmark Price’ of Euros 8.2 Billion instead of Euros 5.2 Billion. Why did PM Modi set a higher ‘benchmark price’ of Euros 8.2 billion (Rs 62,166 Cr)?
Why did PM Modi set a higher 'benchmark price' of € 8.2 Billion (Rs 62,166 Cr)? '
He also charged the PM of compromising National interests by waiving the ‘Bank Guarantee/French Government’s Sovereign Guarantee’ in violation of Defence Procurement Procedure?'
He said, 'PM Modi waived the ‘Sovereign Guarantee’ requirement.'
'On 9.12.2015, Law Ministry flagged the issue of ‘No Bank Guarantee’/ ‘Sovereign Guarantee’ by the French Govt and noted the concern that the contract involves huge payouts from public exchequer without actual delivery in form of advance payments. On 7.03.2016, the then Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar refused to opine or accept the ‘Letter of Comfort’ in lieu of the ‘Bank- French Government Guarantee’. On 18.08.2016, ‘Air Acquisition Wing’ of Defence Ministry put up a note stating that “Bank Guarantees may be insisted from French side as required under our procedure and Indian side may bear the Bank Guarantee charges.” On 23.08.2016, Law Ministry again reiterated to the Defence Ministry about requirement of ‘French Government-Sovereign Guarantee’ as a condition of Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). On 24.08.2016 that is the very next day, PM Modi, in CCS, accepts the ‘Letter of Comfort’ and waives off the condition of ‘Bank Guarantee/French Government Sovereign Guarantee’.
'PM Modi waived condition of arbitration between India and France by converting it into an arbitration between the supplier company that is Dassault and Indian Government, as also changed the venue of arbitration from India to Switzerland,' Mr Surjewala said..
He said that the Modi Government also waived the condition of arbitration in India and agreed to shift the arbitration to Geneva, Switzerland to be held under aegis of UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Laws).
'Clear disadvantage is losing the ‘seat of convenience’ as also ‘applicability of Indian arbitration law’. This will be deemed to be a ‘Foreign Award. If the agreement is between Indian & French Govt (IGA) as stated, how can the arbitration be held between India & Dassault Aviation?' the Congress leader questioned.
The Congress leader said NSA was negotiating the Rafale Deal, and not the ‘Negotiations Committee’ of IAF & the Defence Ministry.
'On 12/13.1.2016, NSA, Ajit Doval negotiated the Rafale Deal in Paris. On 7.03.2016, the then Defence Minister recorded about a meeting held by NSA with the French side in Paris to negotiate the Rafale deal. In August, 2016, The ‘Negotiations Committee’ headed by Deputy Chief of Air Staff submitted its report. Simple question is, why was NSA, Ajit Doval negotiating the Rafale Deal in Paris and under whose authority?
'Did PM Modi ask him to do so and for what reason?' the Congress leader questioned.
Charging the PM of comrpomising on national interests, Mr Surjewala reiterated the Congress demand to institute a Joint parliamentary committee to probe the deal.
'The bottom line is, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has gone as far as to sabotage his own Nations Interests in favour of his crony capitalist friends.

The only forum to investigate the acts of omission, commission and corruption in the biggest defence Scam of India is to have a Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) probe and the Congress party again reiterate this demand,'he said..
UNI NY AR 1814

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