Norms related to blacklisting of weapon manufacturing firms facing corruption charges have been eased partially as these were affecting country’s security preparedness, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said. At present, at least ten companies are blacklisted and cannot do business with Defence Ministry for 10 years. Jaitley said the issue of blacklisting was discussed at Defence Ministry and the matter was referred to Attorney General and law Ministry for their opinion. Spelling out the steps, he said, “we have eased to the extent that where supplies have already been made, you need servicing of those equipment. Now you cannot say we have blacklisted you and we won’t take your spare parts.
That will make the equipment redundant. “The Minister said there are three sets of circumstances for which the Defence Ministry has come up with new rules on blacklisting. These included circumstances where bids have come in (including that of blacklisted players) and there are other eligible players. The bid of blacklisted players is not opened and other bids are opened. The decision has been taken keeping a balance between security considerations and considerations of probity,” he said.
