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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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