The CAG’s report on the Rafale fighter aircraft deal is significant not for what it has said but for what it has not said, Congress leader P. Chidambaram alleged on Thursday, criticising the audit body for allowing itself to become a “joke”.
The report contains no useful information or conclusion and its motive is to hide the truth, Mr. Chidambaram told reporters. He reiterated his party’s demand for a joint parliamentary committee to probe the deal, saying only such a panel can call for all relevant records.
The CAG is not God, he said, apparently rejecting the ruling BJP's contention that the national auditor's report acquits the Narendra Modi government.
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“The CAG allowed itself to become a joke and an honourable government in future will restore the prestige and credibility of the institution,” Mr Chidambaram said.
‘Preface important’
He said the actual information is not in the 33-page of the report but in the preface.
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“If you thought those 33 pages will bring to light the hidden aspects of the deal and explain matters relating to numbers, pricing, delivery etcetera and comment on correctness and propriety of transaction, you will be disappointed,” he added.
Quoting from the preface, the former finance minister said on the insistence of the Defence Ministry, commercial details including the price of the aircraft was redacted on the grounds of security concerns. He added that thanks to the redacted portion, the CAG’s report makes no sense at all.
The report, Mr Chidambaram alleged, failed to answer six questions including what is the monetary gain to Dassault due to amortisation of the India specific enhancement costs over 36 aircraft rather than 126 aircraft. It also fails to answer ‘what is the hidden purpose of waiving the mandatory anti-corruption clauses’. Or even the basic question on when the first and last of the 36 aircraft will be delivered.
‘Bowed to govt.’
“I deeply regret to say that the CAG has meekly submitted to the unprecedented demand of the government and presented a report that contains no useful information or analysis or conclusions. The CAG has failed the people of the country,” he added.
The much-awaited report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the controversy-hit deal was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday. According to the report, the Modi government secured a 2.86 % cheaper price for Rafale fighter jets than what was negotiated by the UPA regime. However, it flagged that removal of ‘sovereign guarantees’ only benefited the French manufacturer, and not India.