The Congress party alleged that the government was promoting ‘crony capitalists’ by violating laid down rules and regulations
New Delhi: The Indian National Congress party on Wednesday accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of “favouring” famous industrialist Gautam Adani’s, well known Adani group in the ₹45,000 crores 75-I Submarine project. The party has alleged that the government was promoting its “crony capitalists”.
The Congress party alleged that the government was promoting ‘crony capitalists’ by violating laid down rules and regulations.
While addressing a press conference, Congress senior leader chief Randeep Surjewala and party spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill charged the central government of violating the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) of 2016 as well as overruling the suggestion of the ‘Empowered Committee‘ of the Indian Navy that had been set up for the project.
“Is the central government favoring Adani Defence JV in the ₹45,000 crore Submarine project? Is the government promoting the financial interests of its crony capitalistic friends by violating the DPP 2016 and eligibility conditions contained therein? Is this government overruling the Indian Navy and its ‘Empowered Committee’ in the matter of ineligibility of Adani Defence JV?” questioned Randeep Surjewala.
According to sources, neither the government nor the Adani group has reacted to the Congress allegations that were made at a special press conference.
The Congress party claimed that two major parameters set by the DPP were that the shortlisted company to manufacture the six submarines in the deal should be of Credit ‘A’ rating and the Ministry of Defence should approve the ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’ (SPV) set up for the project before applying for “request for expression of interest”.
The Empowered Committee of the Navy has claimed the Congress party, shortlisted the public sector unit, Mazagon Docks Shipbuilders Limited, and Larsen and Toubro from the private sector.
But now the Congress party alleged that the government is all set to violate the Committee’s suggestion by allowing the private entity which neither has any experience in submarine manufacturing nor the required credit rating.
“Is zero experience requirement replacing the long technical requirement in the Defence Procurement?” asked Jaiveer Shergill.
Surjewala said the Congress has raised the warning signal in the national interest.
Surjewala questioned, “Let the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh come forward and answer that ‘fairness not foul play’, ‘nationalism, not crony capitalism’ will be the standard for the decision on India’s reputed submarine project,”.
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