New Delhi, Nov 16 (DHNS): Stepping up pressure over the Rafale fighter procurement, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday on accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of changing the deal to help one businessman.
"Can you explain 'Reliance' on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal," Rahul asked on Twitter.
On Tuesday, the Congress had accused Modi of helping Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Limited to get a contract to produce Rafale fighter aircraft as part of the offset obligation, at the cost of state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
"Self 'Reliance' is obviously a critical aspect of 'Make in India," Rahul said, making a tongue-in-cheek reference to Dassault's agreement with Reliance as part of the offset clause of the deal to buy 36 fighter jets in a fly-away condition for the air force.
In a brief interaction with reporters, Rahul wondered why no questions were posed to the prime minister on the Rafale deal or BJP president Amit Shah on his son's businesses.
"You ask me so many questions & I answer you properly, why don't you ask the prime minister about Rafale deal," Rahul asked.
"Why don't you ask questions about Amit Shah's son? These are the questions I wanted to ask you," Rahul said in reference to Jay Shah's business dealings.
In the run-up to the Gujarat Assembly elections, the Congress is trying to restrict the campaign narrative to economic issues and also trying to raise allegations of corruption against the Modi government.
The Congress has also claimed that the aircraft was being purchased at much higher rates than what was decided after the completion of the tender process by the previous UPA government.
It also accused the NDA government of doing away with the transfer of technology clause that was negotiated during the UPA regime.
The BJP has rubbished the allegations, claiming it was intended to "divert attention" from the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scandal in which senior Congress leaders were facing allegations.
French officials have dismissed the allegations levelled by the Congress saying that it was a "domestic political matter". The official asserted that the India decided to purchase Rafale after a fully transparent and competitive process.
Comment on this article
Shammi, Karnataka
Fri, Nov 17 2017Rahul is not lying.ITS A TRUTH.Modi govt has decided that rafale deal under reliance .This news was spread via secret intelligence agencies.Whatever modi is doing is deifinatly not doing for the benefit of Indians,its only for Ambani,Adani and ramdevs.
But blind bhakths will not understand ,when the time comes where modi will say the every Indian who owns property one third of it belongs to Bharat mata's (ambani,adani)maintenance so u have to give that land ofcourse no money will be given in return.Then you ll start barking .This is what will happen in future Because one never know how hungry they are for money and power.
By the end of 2018 ,one will realise all of this since 2014happening modi won only by IT 's virtual sector.In reality he never won.He wa smade to win by some for their hunger for money .This govt is nothing but pure BUSINESS DEAL.If not then he would have been with Advaniji and Sinhaji.Its sad that they used cow and majority card.
People please dont be blind supporters or else you r going axe urself.
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Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai
Fri, Nov 17 2017Thanks to Modi, Ambani will be Worlds Richest ...
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David Pais, Mangalore
Fri, Nov 17 2017day & night utter corruption from chaiwala's cow 🐮 government.
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mahesh, Mangalore
Thu, Nov 16 201712 Billion was the quoted price of 126 Rafale in 2008 which escalated to 20 Billion by 2014, when congress shortlisted the fighter and that too (no weapons package, no replenishment and recovery base, no warehouse, no guarantee on supplies and availability etc etc).
Current 7.8 Billion for 36 Rafale consists of below :
maintenance for 10 years
attrition compensation
75% availability
meteor BVR,SCALP missile
AESA radar
Engine upgrade, without mileage loss
Sand ingestion damage handling
Up rated weapon load
50% offset, meaning 3.9 billion to be invested back in india.
When the G-to-G deal was opened by Modi and Hollande, French opened up with a price of 12 Billion for 36 rafales, It was cut down to 8.6 Billion by Indian government, a further cut was asked by defence ministers and the price was fixed at 7.8 billions.
People need to understand that UPA was simply buying 126 rafales for 20 billions without any weapons package which when added up takes the number to some 36 Billion.
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Kevin, Mangalore
Thu, Nov 16 2017Modi response to Rafale deal will be silence. Modi gets tongue tied when he has to answer difficult questions.
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Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai
Thu, Nov 16 2017Modi promotes only Ambani, Adani & Ramdev ...
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The Guru, Mangalore
Thu, Nov 16 2017Rahul ji please prove what you are saying... or else shut your potato 🥔😋 you are so dumb that MMRCA didn’t go through during UPA time because the lungi Anthony demanded bribe... this is a government to government deal where there is no scope for corruption... Dassault and reliance made a JV to fulfill the 50% offset clause, wherein reliance will be holding 52% stake in this JV... what did upa do for 10 years with MMRCA??? Lungi Anthony thought it’s easy to take bribe from French government which backfired and he was exposed in parliament ... this son of a waitress does not even know that Dassault and safran have come forward to revive the Kaveri engine which was totally neglected by dongress
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mahesh, Mangalore
Thu, Nov 16 2017If Congress thinks theres A prima facie case of corruption,they should file a case in the court.
That's how subramanian swamy brought the 2G case to the public eye.
Ir us i
Or is it only election talks?
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Steven, DXB
Thu, Nov 16 2017Indian Baniya will make way to Indian Baniya only not for any other Indian.
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Rathnakara A, SHIRVA
Thu, Nov 16 2017Why did the India-France Rafale deal shoot up from 12 billion USD in UPA II to 20 billion in NDA
There were various reasons for increase in cost of the Rafale deal, several of which are mentioned below, and these factors can be easily understandable.
1. Production Costs: The cost of steel, critical equipment's and materials increased after 2012 when inflation is adjusted. Though by setting base year as 2011, the difference was marginally reduced.
2. Production Factors: The 2012 MoU stated for building 126 fighters in India vs 36 now being made in France. The land, labor cost is higher in France.
3. Production Economics: The greater the order, the lesser the cost.
4. Modifications: India wants Dassault to incorporate in-house modification clause like Astra BVRAAM and Israeli LRUs. This clause was absent in the earlier MoU.
5. Offset Clause: The offest clause was increased from 30 to 50%. This however will only be verified after the deal is signed.
6. Other market and technical factors.
To give a little background, MoD wanted Dassault to take responsibility of delivery of fighters manufactured by Dassault. The corporation refuses, it is willing to take responsibility if the Indian manufacturer is of their choosing, but not HAL. Supposedly this was not a requirement at the tendering stage. It was the major reason that earlier, this deal was not completed.
As far as best fighter plane concern between the Rafale and F-16, BOTH ARE NOT SAME. Rafale is More advanced combat fighter plane and full specifications you can see here (F-16E/F BLOCK 60 Vs DASSAULT RAFALE). Here we can see what are the best things ahead in Rafale. Difference among the fighter planes does not invovled just only the size and shape of the plane,
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SMR, karkala
Thu, Nov 16 2017Rathnakara A, SHIRVA
Sir,
1. Production Costs: The cost of steel, critical equipment's and materials increased after 2012 when inflation is adjusted. Though by setting base year as 2011, the difference was marginally reduced.
Unquote: Gentleman, Aviation deal are not agriculture products.
2. Production Factors: The 2012 MoU stated for building 126 fighters in India vs 36 now being made in France. The land, labor cost is higher in France.
Unquote: As per UPA deal 18 aircrafts with Indian specified standard inducted as fly away condition. Rest was agreed to build in HAL under transfer of technology and investment in India. PM Modi changed the deal and accepted to bring 36 aircraft in flyaway condition. Reliance with 'zero' experience is given Rs30,000 contracts without transfer of technology.
3. Production Economics: The greater the order, the lesser the cost.
Unquote: So PM Modi strike deal paying more for less aircraft.(Read my comment)
4. Modifications: India wants Dassault to incorporate in-house modification clause like Astra BVRAAM and Israeli LRUs. This clause was absent in the earlier MoU.
Un quote: PM Modi has bypassed defence advisory in favour of his business friend Reliance without considering national interest. UPA proposed twin engine but PM Modi finalised it with single engine which no other nation in the world acquired.
5. Offset Clause: The offset clause was increased from 30 to 50%. This however will only be verified after the deal is signed.
Unquote: All the previous clause has been sidestepped. National security and national interest has been fully compromised by the so called 'Desh Bhakt' government.
Your love for immense love for BJP is not a problem. But think wisely while you make comment. All the pro BJP mass media has 'black out' fearing backlash in the eve of Gujarat election. India's grown smart gentleman. Fake news, doctored video no longer believed.
Jai Hind
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chittaranjan, mangalore
Thu, Nov 16 2017This RaGa. thinks Potato is Produced through factory. what you can Expect from this Guy. Mr. Modi's Policy and One of the Best PM in India History. get more than 81% like him. others who care. enjoy the week end.
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sri_elder, Karkala
Thu, Nov 16 2017It is make in India project and it gives lot of jobs to Indian people.
HAL has facility?
It requires some investment, so reliance has some money and so they take care management.
Private sector in India has always flourished due to good management and effort ...
Modi know that very well....
HAL can do their own invention...
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HENRY MiSQUITH, Bahrain
Thu, Nov 16 2017Feku can do anything for Ambani and Adanis..
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Mahendra Shetty, Mumbai Mangalore
Thu, Nov 16 2017PROVIDE THE PROOF AND FILE THE CASE.....
ALREADY THAT BUSINESS FIRM THREATENED TO SUE YOUR PARTY!
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geoffrey, hat hill
Thu, Nov 16 2017Just like Amith Shah sued 'The Wire'. And btw, do you know that Dr Subramanian Swamy had threatened that he would go to the court had preset central government went ahead with the Rafale deal saying that Rafale was the most useless aircraft in the world?
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Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai
Thu, Nov 16 2017Rahul Gandhi should publicly stop removing Narendra Modi's ...
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Ponkra, Dubai
Thu, Nov 16 2017Who ate commission of Bofors...............
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Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India
Thu, Nov 16 2017Ponkra, Dubai
During Kargil war, Bofors guns used or not against our enemy Pakistan.
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mahesh, Mangalore
Thu, Nov 16 2017because they fired at pakistani's, eating commission is ok?
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SMR, karkala
Thu, Nov 16 2017Ponkra, Dubai
Sir,The Bofors gun continues to give India "an edge" over the adversary on the Line of Control (LoC) and has helped the country to win "artillery duels" till the time the ceasefire came into effect in 2003.
The guns today, the officers said, have been deployed at altitudes ranging between 10-13,000 feet and were helping the Indian troops to achieve "total dominance" over the adversary in the region.
"The guns have a Mercedes Benz engine in them and they are able to move short distances on their own. This capability helped us during the war also as guns would move from their location after firing a salvo to other positions in order to avoid enemy counter fire,"
If Bofors is not in the Indian artillery for PM Vajpayee government 'Kargil' is lost battle. It is superiority has changed the tide in our favour.
For your knowledge BJP then made 'coffin scam' over the bodies of dead comrades by importing from USA for exaggerated price and also made 'bravery award' scandal.
Then PM Vajpayee government was indulging in an unforgivable game of compromising ‘National Interests’ and ‘National Security’ but they are don't hesitate to call them 'patriotics'.
Jai Hind
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Abhi, Kudla
Thu, Nov 16 2017Rahul is confused with Rafale Nadal.😸😸😸
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Ruben Pinto, Mangalore/Australia
Thu, Nov 16 2017The IAF has been shouting hoarse that they are having obsolete fighters since 2000. Now we have the chance to get a plane which is top of the line and our politicians have to rake up muck and delay it again? Our fighter pilots will be flying coffins with our present jets in case of a war with China.
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Mohammed, Khobar
Thu, Nov 16 2017MODI IS BECAUSE OF AMBANI... HE WILL DO ALL FAVOURS TO AMBANI GROUP...
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sri_elder, Karkala
Thu, Nov 16 2017Ambanis are true Indian while Rahul is European
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geoffrey, hat hill
Thu, Nov 16 2017Godse and Dawood Ibrahim were Indians too
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SMR, karkala
Thu, Nov 16 2017After two long years of price negotiations and discussions on other terms and conditions, as late as March 2014 the government of India finally sealed a work share agreement with Dassault Aviation. Under the agreement, 70% of the work of the 108 jets that were to be manufactured in India would be undertaken by the Hindustan Aeronautical Limited while the rest would be done by Dassault. That was the last month of the previous Congress-led UPA 2 govt.
Price comparison of UPA deal vs BJP deal- A scam?
The UPA negotiated price would have been higher because it included Transfer of Technology to an Indian company. Now just think for yourself. A 126 fighter jet deal was stuck on the negotiation table for more than three years because France was not willing to do the ToT to HAL and the quoted price was Rs 90,000 crore. The final outcome is India will be paying Rs 60,000 crore for 36 fighter jets without ToT. This is simple mathematics. As per the deal done by Modi government, 126 Rafale would have cost Rs 210,000 crore!! Don’ get confused. What you read is correct. That means, in earlier deal for 126 fighters when India was paying approximately Rs 714.14 crore per Rafale, in the currently concluded deal, India is paying Rs 952.52 crore higher. In other words, the current price per unit is Rs 1666.66 crore.
1. Why was this done by PM bypassing the interests of a reputed public sector undertaking like HAL?
2. Why has the joint venture for the biggest-ever Indian defence deal between Dassault and Reliance Defence Limited not gone through the proper procedure of approval by the Union Cabinet, Cabinet Committee on Security and Foreign Investment Promotion Board?
3. The Centre’s Narendra Modi government was indulging in an unforgivable game of compromising ‘National Interests’ and ‘National Security’?
4. Can PM explain Reliance" on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal?
5. What is the personal interest of our PM in Rafale and other defence deals?
JaiHind
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Rathnakara A, SHIRVA
Thu, Nov 16 2017Please file PIL in SC or case as opposition filed case regards to Bofors. Congress and slaves only interested in hit and run policy
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Ahmed, Mangalore/UAE
Thu, Nov 16 2017Be careful. They will label you "anti national "
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mahesh, Mangalore
Thu, Nov 16 2017main point is, why didnt UPA close the deal during thier time?
They were dillydalling from 2004 and until 2014, didnt close the deal.
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KRPrabhu, Mangalore/Bangalore
Thu, Nov 16 2017Hardick might have joined Raga team as new manager...!
Better Raga approach SC for a free and fair probe under its watch...
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