Top News
SC moved seeking recall of verdict giving clean chit on Rafale (Lead)
New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, journalist-turned-politician Arun Shourie and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Wednesday filed a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking recall of its verdict giving a clean chit to the government’s acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter jets in a ready-to-fly condition.
The review petition contends that the court “relied upon patently incorrect claims made by the government in an unsigned note given (to the court) in a sealed cover.”
Seeking an open court hearing of the petition, the petitioners have faulted the judgment on several counts, including on information that has come into public domain after the pronouncement of December 14 judgment giving clean chit to the deal for acquiring 36 jets in a ready-to-fly condition.
The petitioner, besides other issues, seeks recall of December 14 judgment on the grounds that the court had relied on “facts” which were “patently false”, a “non-existent CAG report, confusing Reliance Industries with Reliance Infrastructure, non-consideration of “material on record” which contradicted the claims made by the government in the note given to the court in a sealed cover.
It has also contested the government position, relied by the court, that deal between HAL sand Dassault (manufacturer of Rafale) had run into rough weather on account of unresolved issues between the two.
The petitioners have contended that December 14 judgment did not address their prayer for registration of an FIR by the CBI on their October 4 complaint and investigation but prematurely reviewed the contract without having the benefit of any investigation or inquiry into disputed questions of facts.
The petition has contended that the court had erroneously relied on government’s assertion that the deal between HAL and Dassault for the joint production of 108 out of 126 aircraft had ran into “rough weather” due to “unresolved issues”.
It has cited March 25, 2015, statement by Dassault CEO and that of the Indian Foreign Secretary on April 8, 2015, to contend that the deal was on track. To buttress its point, it has pointed to the March 3, 2014 work share agreement between HAL and Dassault Aviation under which both were to undertake 70% and 30% respectively for the manufacture of 108 aircraft.
It has also contended that even on pricing of the 36 aircraft, there was opposition by expert members on increasing the benchmark price from 5.2 billion to 8.2 billion euros.
“The judgement errs in not considering that 3 expert members of the Indian Negotiating Team (INT) had specifically objected to increasing the benchmark price from 5.2 billion Euros to 8.2 billion Euros”, says the petition sereking the review of Rafale judgment.
Contending that 5.2 billion Euro benchmark was discovered by an expert member, the then Principal Advisor (Cost) M.P.Singh after taking into account all factors.
The decision to arbitrarily increase the benchmark price was also objected to by Rajeev Verma, then Joint Secretary (Air) and A.R. Sule, then Finance Manager (Air).
The petitioners have contended that the court had relied on government claims whose veracity could only be ascertained after a thorough probe by the CBI.
–IANS
pk/prs
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
