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Antony defends Tatra truck deal

     Defending Tatra deal in the parliament today, Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Monday said that the trucks were bought mainly due to operational needs of the Army. "The Government had decided in 1997 to sign a contract with Tatra. In 2003, another contract was signed with the company," Antony said. "From 1986 onwards to 2012, the Indian government bought nearly 6500 vehicles from Tatra. Out of that, owing to special circumstances in 2001 and 2002, nearly 2950 vehicles were bought from Tatra. This was due to operational needs, because of Operation Parakram," he added. Antony had earlier said the government would take stringent action against those involved in corruption in acquisition of equipment for the army. He said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the matter and the perpetrators would be brought to book. "We have already referred the matter for extensive, comprehensive enquiry by the CBI and we hope CBI will complete the enquiry as quickly as possible. My understanding is that the enquiry is going on fast. While misconception is there about the procurement of equipment for the armed forces; every procurement of this vehicle; hitherto from 1986 onwards, by the ministry is as per the General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR) report prepared by the army and as per their requirements only," he said. "Government is not imposing the army to take this vehicle, the requirement is coming from their side only, and government side is not imposing," he added. Antony further said that the government has taken a serious note on the procurement issues and during investigation, the CBI has recommended to blacklist six companies, including four foreign and two Indian companies. The CBI is investigating the BEML-Tatra deal following Army Chief General VK Singh's allegations that he was offered a bribe of Rs.14 crore by a former Army officer lobbying for the truck In 1997, Tatra Sipox UK had signed the truck supply deal with BEML,which was in alleged violation of defence procurement rules stating that procurement should be done directly from original equipment manufacturer only, the sources said. The CBI has alleged that since Tatra Sipox UK was not the original manufacturer of these all-terrain trucks, the rule that defence procurements should be made from original manufacturer was violated.

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