Rafale deal | Congress demands solutions, probe from PM Modi after fresh revelations by French portal
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The Congress on Monday requested for an intensive inquiry into the Rafale fighter plane deal after a French media portal reported that the plane producers, Dassault Aviation, had paid €1.1 million to a intermediary and demanded solutions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the newest ‘revelations’.
Also learn: French anti-corruption agency AFA found Dassault paid 1 million euros to middleman: report
At a press convention, Congress common secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala claimed that the report by the French information portal, Mediapart, has vindicated former celebration chief Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of corruption within the deal.
In the run as much as the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Gandhi had alleged corruption within the Rafale fighter plane his most important ballot plank.
“Does it now not require a full and independent investigation into India’s biggest defence deal to find out how much bribery and commission in reality, if any, was paid and to whom in the Indian government? Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi answer to the nation now?” requested Mr. Surjewala.
Quoting the French portal report, the Congress spokesperson mentioned an investigation carried out by the French Anti-Corruption Agency (AFA) has revealed that after signing of the deal in 2016, Dassault had allegedly paid €1.1 million to a intermediary — Defsys Solutions — an Indian firm.
Also learn: Investigative reports by N. Ram on the Rafale deal
The quantity was proven as expenditure by Dassault as “gifts to clients” and at one other place, quoted as the worth to make mannequin Rafale planes.
“How can middleman and payment of commission be permitted in a “government-to-government Defence Contract” or in any defence procurement in violation of the obligatory Defence Procurement Procedure [DPP],” requested Mr. Surjewala.
He mentioned the DPP and the “Integrity Clause” within the authorities’s coverage concerning defence purchases explicitly bars fee for intermediary or any such funds that may be construed as bribe.
“Has it not vitiated the Rafale deal entailing imposition of heavy financial penalties on Dassault, banning of the company, registration of an FIR and other penal consequences,” he mentioned.
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