Spokesperson: Shri Randeep Singh Surjewala: He said that explosive revelations in the Rafale Scam have now cemented the ‘massive corruption’, ‘treason’, ‘loss to public exchequer of at least Euro 2.81 Billion (21,075 Crores) and criminal breach of National Security by Modi Government. Prime Minister & Modi Govt. must answer to the Nation: 1. Isn’t it correct that the ‘Indian Negotiating Team’ (INT) on August 10, 2015, arrived at a benchmark cost of Euro 5.06 Billion for 36 Rafale Fighter Jets including weaponry package etc. Is it now not proved by the INT document released by the French News Portal/Agency – Mediapart.fr who has accessed ED documents recovered from the middlemen? Isn’t it correct that the price of Euro 7.87 Billion for 36 aircrafts was decided by Dassault Aviation in its internal meeting dated 20-01-2016? Isn’t it correct that the Indian Team had rejected this price calculation of Euro 7.87 Billion for 36 aircrafts, the very next day? Isn’t it correct that on 23-09-2016, the price of Euro 7.87 Billion for 36 aircrafts (as decided by Dassault on 20-01-2016 in their internal meeting) was accepted by Modi Govt. and contract awarded to Dassault? What was the quid pro quo for accepting the price of Euro 7.87 Billion when Defence Ministry, GOI itself had calculated the cost at Euro 5.06 Billion and had rejected the Dassault calculation of price being Euro 7.87 Billion? What is the reason for additional payment of Euro 2.81 Billion - 21,075 Crores (One Euro = 75 INR in September, 2016), causing loss to the public exchequer? Isn’t it more than prima facie evidence for an investigation into Rafale Scam? 2. Isn’t it correct that Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recovered the “Secret Defence Ministry Documents” from the middlemen in the raid dated 26-03-2019 including – The ‘Benchmark Price Document’ dated 10-08-2015. The ‘Record of Discussions’ by the INT of Defence Ministry. The ‘Excel Sheet of calculations made by Defence Ministry, GOI; and Eurofighter’s counteroffer of 20% discount to GOI. Isn’t this treason? Why did Modi Govt then not take action against Dassault, the political executive or the Defence Ministry officers who leaked the documents? 3. Isn’t it correct that ‘Anti-Corruption clauses’ i.e. “No bribery, No Gift, No Influence, No Commission, No Middlemen” is the mandatory policy in Defence contracts as per the ‘Defence Procurement Procedure’? Isn’t it correct that the ‘Anti- Corruption clauses’ were part of the tender issued by the UPA for purchase of 126 Fighter aircrafts? Isn’t it correct that French Govt./Dassault deleted the ‘Anti-Corruption Clauses’? Were the ‘Anti-Corruption clauses’ deleted to escape responsibility from bribery and commission to be paid in the Rafale deal? Why was the deletion of ‘Anti-Corruption clauses’ approved by Prime Minister & Modi Govt. in September 2016, despite the Defence Ministry’s insistence upon including it in the Inter-governmental Agreement in July 2015? 4. How was a middleman in a reported note to Dassault dated 24-06-2014 promising Dassault officials “a meeting with Indian political high command” and possible change of Defence Minister? Did such a meeting take place with the “high command” in Modi Govt.? Is it correct that after the alleged meeting, PM announced the off-the-shelf purchase of 36 Rafale aircrafts on 10-04-2015 as also removal of HAL as the offset partner and bringing in a private Indian industrialist? Is it also correct that the Defence portfolio was also changed in November 2014? How can a private individual and middlemen be so powerful as to influence the decisions of Modi Govt in India’s biggest Defence deal? Does it not require a thorough independent investigation? Modi govt can no longer hide! It must answer to the people of India. Friday, April 09, 2021