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Can’t comment on offset partners in Rafale deal on basis of media reports: Sitharaman
New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said she could not comment on the offset partners chosen by Dassault Aviation, the maker of Rafale jets, on the basis of media reports as the company was yet to officially inform the government about its local partners.
“In spite of all that is reported in the media, that they (Dassault Aviation) are going with this or going with that or we do not know this or that… I can officially state it only when they officially come and claim it from me. Till then I can’t respond on the basis of the media reports that offset is being fulfilled by this company or that company,” Sitharaman said in her reply to a debate on procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from French company Dassault Aviation.
Her response came after Congress President Rahul Gandhi sought a clarification from the Defence Minister in the House as to why the Rs 30,000 crore worth of offset contract was given to Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence.
“The government of India does not interfere in the commercial decisions of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The government does not put it as a part of the inter-governmental agreement at all as to who they (OEM) should go with, who they should not. They will decide it and not the government,” she added.
The Congress has alleged the Narendra Modi government indulged in crony capitalism by favouring Modi’s “friend” Anil Ambani with the offset contract and ignoring the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
However, Sitharaman in her reply refuted the allegations, saying the government had no role or knowledge of who all were going to be Dassault’s Indian offset partners.
“I would want to underline that the share of Dassault Aviation in the total offsets is 19.9 per cent only. There will be many Indian offset partners of Dassault Aviation under many avenues,” she said.
“As per the offset contract, the vendor is required to confirm the details of Indian offset partners, or products that they are buying, either at the time of seeking offset credits or one year prior to the discharge of the offset obligation.
“The annual offset implementation schedule will commence from October 2019. The vendor is yet to submit a formal proposal indicating details of Indian offset partners and products for offset discharge,” she said.
The Minister said that the offset contracts in the Rafale agreement were governed by the offset guidelines of the Defence Procurement Policy of 2013, and the offset limit has been fixed at 50 per cent, which is quite high.
–IANS
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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.