The question on Rafale deal is being raised by the Opposition because the deal which was done during the UPA regime was terminated without Cabinet decision and those of other concerned committees , said All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference here at Rajiv Bhawan while on a visit to Raipur to speak on Rafale deal he said that the Congress party had introduced the concept of ‘Make in India’ in year 2012 through the deal by technology transfer of 126 Rafale fighters, called through international tendering and rate negotiation of Rs 526 crore where 26 fighters were to be delivered while the others has to be made through HAL.
He said that local engineers would have been able to manufacture the Rafale aircraft but with new deal only 36 fighters would be delivered at higher cost of Rs 1617 crore. This is what the people of country want to know, why it is being purchased at such a high price. The delivery of the aircraft would take place in year 2022.
Comparing with UPA regime , he said that when Opposition demands probe on the deal, then the resignation of Minister is taken and the probe is done, so why the ruling government is shying away from the problem.
Azad said that decision for aircraft purchase was taken first and then the signature of concerned committees were taken in back date. It is the reason for raising the demand for probe, he said.
During the period of former Prime Minister late Atal Behari Vajpayee there was democracy as the media had the freedom and everyone was heard, Azad said.
When Opposition raises any issue , the government does not reply to it and even raises the issue of being in opposition and no probe is conducted on the issues, he said.
In case of Bofors or 2G Scam or Coal Scam, Congress government ordered probe and now everything is clear what had happened why the present government is not ready for it. Let government start probe on the Rafale deal also, he said.