Adani lands Defence Ministry in hot water

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Defence landed in a controversy after Congress alleged that Adani Defence and state-owned Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) joint venture is being favored through tweaking procurement guidelines to participate in a Rs 45,000 crore submarine project — referred to as project 75-I. The Congress has alleged that through making changes in the procurement rules Adani Defence, with zero experience in submarine manufacturing along with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), is being allowed to participate in the Rs 45,000 crore submarine project.

The Congress has asked the government whether it is trying “to favour the Adani Defence JV” in the Rs 45,000-crore submarine project “in violation of the defense procurement procedures” and “by overruling” the Navy’s high-powered committee which “found the firm ineligible” for the deal.

In presser in Delhi, Congress’ Randeep Surjewala said the Modi government and the Prime Minister Office overruled suggestions made by the empowered committee, constituted by the Indian Navy, although the deal had not been finalized yet. He said that an empowered committee of the Indian Navy headed by Navy’s Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition rejected Adani’s bid to manufacture submarines because his company was not found to be eligible. (IANS)

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