Modi government's Rafale deal 2.86% cheaper: CAG report

The CAG report, which did not contain the pricing details, was submitted to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, which is the last day of the parliament session ahead of the forthcoming General Elections.

The report came to light on the day The Hindu published a news stating three Defence Ministry officials, who were the domain experts on the seven-member Indian Negotiating Team (INT), concluded that the Rafale deal made by the Modi government was not on "better terms" than the one made by the UPA government.

The three Defence Ministry officials also concluded that the delivery schedule of the first 18 of 36 jets in the new deal was slower than the original procurement process.

The latest report by The Hindu is contradicting with the BJP government's claims of a cheaper deal and faster delivery of aircraft under its regime.

Under the Congress-led UPA government, which ruled the country from 2004 to 2014, India had signed a deal to buy 126 Rafale fighter jets.

Congress' dual stands on CAG:

Though Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday termed CAG report as "Chowkidar Auditor General" report, with a reference to the Prime Minister, the same party months ago wanted a report on the Rafale deal.

In Sept 2018, a Congress delegation met the CAG and had urged the auditor to make a report on alleged irregularities in the Rafale deal.

"We have given a detailed memorandum along with enclosures on the irregularities and acts of omission and commission by the Government in the fighter jet deal. We expect the CAG will prepare a report soon and present it before Parliament," a senior Congress leader had then said as quoted by Economic Times.

Now, the Congress along with several other opposition parties dismissed the report as "biased" because CAG auditor Rajiv Mehrishi was the Finance Secretary at the time the deal was signed.

Arun Jaitley hits back:

In a series of tweets, Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, attacked the Congress for not accepting the CAG report.

He tweeted, "Satyameva Jayate” – the truth shall prevail. The CAG Report on Rafale reaffirms the dictum."

"2016 vs. 2007 terms – Lower price, faster delivery, better maintenance, lower escalation."

Jaitley further said: "It cannot be that the Supreme Court is wrong, the CAG is wrong and only the dynast is right."

Referring to the Congress and its chief Rahul Gandhi, who repeatedly called Modi a "thief", the Finance Minister said: "How does democracy punish those who consistently lied to the nation?"

Taking a dig at the collective opposition, Jaitley said: "The lies of ‘Mahajhootbandhan’ stand exposed by the CAG Report."