ICICI ‘bank notes’ the sixth proof implicating Modi govt in Rafale deal, says Congress

Citing publicly available “management meet notes” of the largest private sector bank, ICICI, Congress on Friday said that the recently surfaced bank notes were the sixth proof implicating the Centre for allegedly flouting norms in the controversial jet fighter deal.

Addressing a conference, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said that “management meet notes” further prove that, flouting all norms, the Modi Government handed over a ₹ 29,500 crore offset contract to the Reliance Defence Limited (RDL) owned by Anil Ambani, which had zero experience in aircraft manufacturing.

He said “management meet notes” of the ICICI bank is the sixth proof, which establishes collaboration of the Modi government in Rafale deal.

As per the “management meet notes” cited by Khera, RDL has already formed a joint venture with French jet maker Dassault for execution of offset obligations, as a part of the 36 Rafale fighter jet purchase valued at ₹59000 crore.

“The offset obligation in this contract is pegged at 50% of the total cost, that is ₹29500 crore,” reads the note mentioned by Khera.

“If Dassault Aviation in its Annual Report, can reveal the price per aircraft, if Reliance Defence in its Press Release, can reveal the price per aircraft, if a retired bureaucrat who was the “head of finance” in the Defence Ministry, while the deal was done can reveal the benchmark price. Why can Modi not reveal the price,” asked Khera.

Calling it the biggest defence scandal of India, Khera also demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the controversial deal.

The press conference by Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera can be seen here: