India News

Rafale deal: CAG report along expected lines on price, but raises other questions

Published

8 years ago

February 13, 2019

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on Rafale deal tabled on the last day of the Budget Session in the Parliament today (Wednesday Feb 13), while contradicting Modi government’s claim of the reworked contract price being 9% lower than the previous deal negotiated by the UPA government, said it was 2.8% cheaper.

The audit does not go into the unanswered question of what was the need for cancelling the old deal envisaging transfer of technology and working out a new deal. If the UPA government had been slow in finalising the deal, as Modi government alleges, it could have speeded up the negotiations and sealed it in a matter of months instead of taking another over year-and-a-half after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise announcement in Paris.

There is also a question about the claim of faster delivery of the fighter aircraft in the renegotiated deal. A report in The Times of India (TOI) said the CAG report says that in the 2007 offer, 18 aircraft were to be delivered by 50th month of signing the contract. The next 18 were to be licensed produced in HAL and to be delivered from 49 to 72 months of the contract signing.

However, in the 2016 contract, the first 18 aircraft would be delivered between 36 to 53 months after signing of IGA and the remaining 18 to be delivered by 67 months, the CAG says, according to the TOI report.

Last session of 16th Lok Sabha ends, both Houses of Parliament adjourned sine die

The first Rafale jet is reportedly expected to arrive only later this year – by September 2019 and the rest of the first batch by 2022. If the negotiation of the previous deal, that was nearly complete, had been expedited and completed in 2015 – when the fresh process was started – the first batch of 18 Rafale aircraft would have arrived by next year.

Even without these, the report, “Capital Acquisition in Indian Air Force”, tabled in the Rajya Sabha by Union Minister of State for finance, Pon Radhakrishnan, is a mixed bag from which both the Modi government as well as the Opposition, particularly the Congress party, can choose points to suit their respective narratives on the Rafale deal.

The CAG report, while predictably redacting the controversial details of the final purchase price for the 36 Rafale fighter jets that the Modi government negotiated with the French government and Dassault Aviation in 2016, says that the government did save on the renegotiated deal: it was 2.8% cheaper than the 2007 deal.

It is pertinent to note here that the 2007 negotiations were being carried out for purchase of 126 Rafale jets, also involving transfer of technology to India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The deal negotiated by the Modi government in 2016 was for only 36 jets with no transfer of technology involved.

“Anti-BJP parties not satisfied by the CAG report on Rafale deal”

The CAG report also says that officials of the Indian Air Force had, indeed, objected to certain proposed enhancements to the jet, that were sought by the Indian government 2016 from Dassault Aviation, as unnecessary. This was from those who have to fly the fighter and go to battle.

The report states that at least four “unnecessary India specific enhancements” were made to the Rafale jet as part of the deal though senior officials from the Indian Air Force had categorically informed the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that these were not needed. The MoD ministry, the report states, overruled the view of experts from the Indian Air Force.

Aspects of the deal that are more expensive include engineering support package and performance-based logistics.

The Modi government can take heart from the report also saying that India managed to save 17.08 percent money for the India Specific Enhancements in the 36 Rafale aircraft contract as compared to the 126 aircraft deal proposed by the UPA regime. The cost of the basic aircraft is the same in both cases.

The contract for Rafale consisted of six different packages with a total of 14 items. The contracted price of seven items was higher than the aligned price, the price at which the contract should have been signed.

Three items, including basic aircraft, were procured at the same price. Four items were purchased at lower than the aligned price.

The auditor also endorses claims made in a recent report published by The Hindu newspaper earlier this week which the Opposition has since used to slam the Modi government for a “sell out” to Dassault Aviation. The report in The Hindu had said that the deal renegotiated by the Modi regime had excluded sovereign guarantee clauses for Dassault Aviation, thereby ensuring that the French defence giant gets undue benefits in exchange.

Rahul Gandhi accuses PM Modi of acting like Anil Ambani’s middleman, levels treason charge

CAG said in the previous offer of 2007, Dassault Aviation had provided performance and financial guarantees which was about 25 per cent of the total value of the contract. The vendor had embedded the cost in its bid price. But in the 2016 contract there are no such guarantees or warranty. This led to saving for Dassault Aviation which was not passed on to India.

The CAG, however, does not factor this aspect in its estimate that says the NDA-II’s deal was 2.86% cheaper. If these costs were considered – 25 per cent of the total value of the contract – the Modi government’s deal would be more expensive than the UPA’s.

Further, the auditor suggests that a Defence Ministry team in March 2015 had recommended scrapping of the 126 jet deal saying that Dassault Aviation was not the lowest bidder and EADS (European Aeronautic Defence & Space Company) was not fully compliant with the tender requirements. This has been among the major claims of the Opposition while attacking the Modi government on the Rafale deal.

The report has examined 11 defence deals (five from the UPA era and six from the NDA era) which were signed between 2012 and 2017. Prices have been redacted only for the part of the report that deals with the Rafale purchase agreements.

The Congress and other opposition parties have dismissed the report as biased because auditor Rajiv Mehrishi was Finance Secretary when the deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets was inked in 2016. The Congress alleges that Mehrishi was “complicit in the irregularities” in the Rafale deal and alleged that “the bungling was happening at the highest level with his direct or indirect complicity and consent”.

Union minister Arun Jaitley lashed out at the Opposition: “The lies of the Mahajhootbandhan stand exposed by the CAG report. It cannot be that the Supreme Court is wrong, the CAG is wrong and only the dynast is right,” he said, taking a swipe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

The CAG report came even as a report in The Hindu newspaper on Wednesday said at least three senior Defence Ministry officials among the seven-member Indian Negotiating Team were of the view that the final price offered by the French Government cannot be considered as ‘better terms’ compared to the deal under the UPA.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Yogi Adityanath takes a dig at Akhilesh Yadav over Ram Temple visit plan

Yogi Adityanath’s remarks came after the Samajwadi Party announced that Akhilesh Yadav would visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on December 12.

Published

5 hours ago

November 7, 2026

APNLive Desk

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday took an apparent swipe at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his planned visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, saying those who had fired on Ram devotees should first apologise to them and to the saints.

Yogi made the remarks while addressing the 10th edition of Deepotsav in Ayodhya. He did not name Akhilesh Yadav directly.

Yogi’s remarks come after Akhilesh’s Ayodhya visit plan

The chief minister’s comments came after the Samajwadi Party announced that Akhilesh Yadav would visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on December 12. It would be his first visit to the temple since its inauguration, according to the report.

Yogi said those who had earlier neglected and insulted Ayodhya, opened fire on Ram devotees and subjected saints to lathicharge should come to the city only after seeking forgiveness.

“Let them apologise to the devotees of Lord Ram; let them apologise to the saints,” Yogi said, adding that they should repent for their past actions.

Reference to 1990 firing on kar sevaks

Yogi’s remarks referred to the 1990 police firing on kar sevaks during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. At the time, the Uttar Pradesh government was headed by Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav’s father.

The chief minister said those who had once “bloodied” Ayodhya were now remembering the city. He also criticised political leaders over their conduct at religious gatherings, referring to the decorum of a katha.

Akhilesh has not yet visited the Ram Temple

Akhilesh Yadav has visited Ayodhya earlier but has not so far visited the Ram Temple. The SP leader was in the city on October 8 to attend a Bhagwat Katha organised by party leader Pawan Pandey.

According to the report, Akhilesh and his wife, Mainpuri MP Dimple Yadav, are scheduled to offer prayers at the Ram Temple and Hanumangarhi on December 12.

The planned visit comes amid political activity in Ayodhya ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections due by February 2027.

Yogi highlights Ayodhya’s transformation

During his Deepotsav address, Yogi also spoke about the changes in Ayodhya and described the city’s transformation as an ideological victory.

He said those who had previously neglected Ayodhya were now witnessing its development. He also said Lord Ram represented India’s national consciousness, culture, values and self-respect.

The chief minister further recalled the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and said Ayodhya had regained the glory for which kar sevaks and saints had struggled.

India News

Ahead of Diwali, Yogi govt hikes DA by 5% for UP government staff

The Uttar Pradesh government has increased Dearness Allowance by 5 percentage points, taking it from 58% to 63%. The revised rate will benefit lakhs of eligible employees ahead of Diwali.

Published

5 hours ago

November 7, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a 5 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees ahead of Diwali. With this revision, the DA rate has increased from 58 per cent to 63 per cent, providing financial relief to lakhs of eligible employees across the state.

The revised allowance will be effective from July 1, 2026, according to the government announcement. A government order was also issued on Saturday, November 7.

The enhanced DA will be paid along with employees’ regular November 2026 salaries.

Which employees will benefit from the DA hike?

The decision covers regular state government employees and several other categories of eligible staff.

These include employees of aided educational and technical institutions, regular and full-time employees of urban local bodies, work-charged employees and personnel drawing salaries under University Grants Commission (UGC) pay scales.

The revision is expected to benefit a large section of the Uttar Pradesh workforce ahead of the festive season.

What happens to the DA arrears?

The revised DA rate will apply retrospectively from July 1, 2026. Consequently, employees will also be entitled to arrears for the period preceding the November salary payment.

The government has made provisions for the payment of the arrears for July to October 2026. These amounts will be credited to employees’ provident fund accounts, according to the reported payment arrangements.

The enhanced allowance for November will be reflected in the regular salary for that month.

The decision comes ahead of Diwali and will provide additional financial relief to eligible government employees in Uttar Pradesh.

India News

Himanta Sarma to approach court over threat to gherao home in Zubeen case

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his government would approach the Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court over a threat to gherao his residence if two prime accused in the Zubeen Garg death case are granted bail.

Published

7 hours ago

November 7, 2026

APNLive Desk

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the state government would bring before the Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court a threat by a group to gherao his residence in connection with the Zubeen Garg death case.

Speaking to reporters, Sarma described the threat as a serious matter, saying it posed a danger to his family and could amount to a direct attempt to murder.

The development comes ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on November 30 of the bail petitions filed by Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sharma, the two prime accused in the case.

Why Himanta Sarma plans to approach the courts

Sarma said he had instructed the state government’s legal department to bring the matter to the notice of both the Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court.

The Chief Minister objected to the group threatening to target his residence rather than holding a protest near the Chief Minister’s Office.

He said those questioning the judicial process should approach the Supreme Court or the high court instead of targeting him. Sarma also maintained that the courts should be allowed to carry out their work.

According to him, attempts to question the judicial process in this manner could obstruct the path of justice.

What the group said about the bail pleas

The Zubeen Garg Nyay Samiti, led by Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi, had announced on Thursday that it would gherao the Chief Minister’s residence under certain circumstances.

The group said it would carry out the protest if Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sharma were granted bail or if the Assam government failed to mount an effective legal opposition to their bail pleas.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the bail petitions of the two accused on November 30.

Bail granted to two accused in the case

The Gauhati High Court granted bail to singer Amritprava Mahanta, an accused in the Zubeen Garg death case, on October 9. She was granted bail against a bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of the same amount.

The high court has also granted bail to Sandipan Garg in the case.

Referring to the bail order concerning Amritprava Mahanta, Sarma said it mentioned that 160 witnesses had not named her during the court hearing, despite having done so during the investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Responding to questions over the development, Sarma said the witnesses should be questioned about the discrepancy rather than him.

What happened to Zubeen Garg?

Singer Zubeen Garg died in Singapore on September 19 last year while swimming in the sea.

Police in Singapore had said that no foul play was involved in his death. Garg had travelled to Singapore to attend the fourth edition of the North East India Festival (NEIF).