‘Chopper deals violated policy parameters’
15 Aug 2013 5:28 AM IST
The controversial Rs 3,727 crore AgustaWestland deal on Tuesday came under attack from the CAG which has found
‘several deviations’ from procedures and changes in requirements in the
purchase of 12 VVIP choppers at nearly five times the original sanction for the project.
The then Air Force Chief F H Major, whose name was not taken by the Comptroller and Auditor General, came in for criticism for conduct of trials outside India despite objections from Defence Minister A K Antony in 2008.
After the arrest of former CEOs of Anglo-Italian firm in Italy, the deal came under intense scrutiny with allegations of kickbacks to the tune of Rs 362 crore.
The major point made in the CAG report, which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, was that the acquisition process for the VVIP helicopters had to resort to ‘several deviations’ from the laid down procedures. The CAG report notes that the original estimated cost of the project approved by the Defence Ministry was Rs 793 crore in January 2006.
‘several deviations’ from procedures and changes in requirements in the
purchase of 12 VVIP choppers at nearly five times the original sanction for the project.
The then Air Force Chief F H Major, whose name was not taken by the Comptroller and Auditor General, came in for criticism for conduct of trials outside India despite objections from Defence Minister A K Antony in 2008.
After the arrest of former CEOs of Anglo-Italian firm in Italy, the deal came under intense scrutiny with allegations of kickbacks to the tune of Rs 362 crore.
The major point made in the CAG report, which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, was that the acquisition process for the VVIP helicopters had to resort to ‘several deviations’ from the laid down procedures. The CAG report notes that the original estimated cost of the project approved by the Defence Ministry was Rs 793 crore in January 2006.
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