CAG reports Rafale jet deal in NDA government is cheaper than the UPA era

Guwahati: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the Rs. 59000 crore Rafale deal is all set to be presented in the Parliament, today. The report throws lights on the 11 deals signed between 2012 and 2017, five from the UPA period and six from the NDA’s season. The 140 paged report dedicates 30 of it solely to the Rafale deal providing a comparison between the French manufacturers and the Euro fighter Typhoon made by the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS), which were the final two shortlisted parties. The other bidders were the single-engine US-made F-16 and F-18 Super Hornets, the Swedish Gripe, and the Russian Su-35.

EADS offered a 20% discount on the deal for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) which was negotiated by the then UPA Regime. However, the Modi Government picked up an old deal and finalized to buy 36 Rafale aircraft in a flyaway condition which created the debate by the opposition that the new price is higher than the old price and that the proper procedure was not followed. However, the Government denies the same and says that the deal was finalized at a lower cost (2.86 cheaper than the UPA deal) and every process was honoured. The deal also brought up criticism against itself for having said to favour the Reliance of the Ambani Group.

In anonymous versions, CAG officials have let know that the report will not cover the controversial attachments and the offsets will be included in an entirely separate report which has been audited with the other recent offset deals related to the three defence services – the Air Force, Army and the Navy.

The CAG report is drafted and sent to the Government; however, it may not get finalized before the general elections.

With reference to the same, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said that he would be holding a press conference later in the evening today. On the contrary, taking note of the opposition, the Union Minister Arun Jaitley tweeted "Satyameva Jayate” – the truth shall prevail. The CAG Report on Rafale reaffirms the dictum. It cannot be that the Supreme Court is wrong, the CAG is wrong and only the dynast is right.."

Also read: CAG submits Rafale Deal report in the Lok Sabha