Rafale Deal Is "Father Of Bofors", Says Shiv Sena Lawmaker Sanjay Raut

Agencies
October 1, 2018

Mumbai, Oct 1: Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday described the  controversial Rafale deal as the "father of Bofors" and said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's importance in the country's politics had increased after repeatedly speaking against the deal.

In an article in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', Mr Raut said those who accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's relatives of receiving kickbacks worth Rs. 65 crore in the Bofors deal are in power now. "Today, they are accused of pocketing Rs. 700 crore in the Rafale jet deal. Rafale is the father of Bofors."

Taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party over Francois Hollande's reported claims on the deal, the Sena MP wondered if the former French president would be dubbed a supporter the Congress president or an "anti-national".

On September 21, a French media report quoted Mr Hollande as purportedly saying the Indian government proposed Reliance Defence as an offset partner for Rafale maker Dassault Aviation in the Rs. 58,000-crore deal and France did not have a choice.

"The question is not that Anil Ambani was given the contract for the fighter jets, but, as against the price of Rs. 527 crore for each jet, the deal was done at Rs. 1,570 crore during (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi government's tenure. This means middlemen got a commission of about  Rs. 1,000 crore per jet," the Sena leader said.

Mr Raut termed it laughable the BJP's allegations that Mr Gandhi's criticism of the deal was akin to "speaking in the words of Pakistan and helping" the neighbouring country. "The same allegations were levelled against the Congress during the Bofors deal (in late 1980s). Was it then not helping Pakistan? Those in power term Bofors a scandal... However, they are not ready to believe Rafale is also a scam."

"In the country, only Rahul Gandhi was speaking against the Rafale deal, while all other political parties kept mum. Thus, Rahul is now getting more importance in the politics of the nation," the Rajya Sabha MP said.

Mr Raut was apprehensive that the government would try to bring curtains down on the controversy by shifting the public's attention to issues like Ram temple and Hindu-Muslim. He alleged that a process was on to fool everybody on the deal and the government and BJP spokespersons were having to speak a "100 lies to hide one lie".

"Nothing related to security deals are hidden anymore. Thus, there is no point in not disclosing details in the name of (national) security. Defence deals have not been brought under the ambit of the RTI, yet this Rafale came out," he added.

Led by the Congress, the opposition parties have been attacking the BJP government over the Rafale deal, alleging it was procuring 36 Rafale jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost.

The government has denied the charge, arguing that it was getting the jets cheaper than what the previous UPA dispensation had negotiated. Anil Ambani had contended that the Indian government had no role in Dassault picking up his company as a local partner.

The Shiv Sena is part of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and also in Maharashtra. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has often criticised the Modi government over its policies and other issues.

Comments

Hasan Zain
 - 
Tuesday, 2 Oct 2018

If Rafael Scam Has Happened. Then those who  defends that deal might have got the pie from it. Coz as a citizen of India for us country comes first. These people who defends in the name of patriotism are liar and in harsh words we can call them traitors. Coz they play with the security of our country. 
1,First they Made Demonetization, every middle class suffered and GDP came down no body woke up .
2. Then they brought GST all middle level business got killed,
3, Then they started Raising fuel Taxes up-to 300% Still nobody woke up,
4, Then currency got loosing its shine (now 1 USD is reaching 73 Rs)
5. Tried to bring FRCA bill So that people having money in bank may loose their deposits.
6, Gave more then 1000 crores to his friend for non existing university.
7. Lacks of crores written off from Banks in the Name of NPAs
8. Bank Defaulters are running from country and they cannot bring Back,
9, Lynching has become common,
10, Relation with all neighbors are at lowest term.(Even small country like Maldives sends back our Choppers)
11, Corruption at all time High,
12, Terrorism naxalism at all time high,
13, Black Money doubled in Swiss bank,
14, Inflation at all time high
15, Safe of Women at all time low.
and much more with unending list. 
they just do is please people in the name of patriotism and Lord Ram and play dirty politics.
Their defense is Pakistan, Qabrastan, Congress, Dynasty etc, You will never find genuine answer in any of debates on national channels from government or their parent organisation representatives

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News Network
April 20,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 20:  Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said that the government would revoke the order, which allowed the opening of barbershops and restaurants in the State.

The development comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) objected to the move.
When asked about the letter issued by the MHA terming certain decisions as to the dilution of guidelines, Chief Minister Vijayan said: "There is no confrontation between the State government and the Centre."

"Kerala is following all directions issued by the Centre. Barbershops will not be opened and restaurants will only provide online delivery," he told the reporters, adding that public transport would not be allowed.

"There was a decision to open barbershops but many experts have pointed out against the decision. So the Kerala government is withdrawing the decision," he said.

Earlier, Chief Secretary Tom Jose said that if needed, then the State government will make necessary modifications to the lockdown guidelines in the wake of a communication received from the Central government.

The MHA had objected to the decision of Kerala government to allow services like barbershops, local workshops, restaurants, etc., and had urged the State government to revise its lockdown guidelines.

The Government of India had said that violation to lockdown measures reported posed a serious health hazard to the public and risk the spread of COVID-19.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla wrote to all Chief Secretaries and a separate letter had been sent to the Kerala Chief Secretary asking them not to dilute lockdown guidelines in any manner.

In his letter to the Kerala Chief Secretary, Bhalla had stated that the consolidated revised guidelines on the measures to be taken by the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India has been circulated on April 15 for containment of COVID-19.

Kerala Minister Kadakampally Surendran had said that relaxations have been given abiding by the direction issued by the Central government. He had added that the Centre may have asked for an explanation due to some misunderstanding.

India is under a nation-wide lockdown that came into force on March 25 to contain the spread of coronavirus, which has claimed 559 lives in the country. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of lockdown till May 3.

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News Network
May 6,2020

Noida, May 6: Not having Aarogya Setu app on smartphone while out in public in Noida or Greater Noida will be considered a violaton of lockdown rules and the person will be punished.

Action will also be taken against people going outdoors without a face mask or spitting in public places, Gautam Buddh Nagar police said, news agency reported.

Aarogya Setu is a mobile application developed by the central government to connect essential health services with the people to fight Covid-19.

The app is aimed at augmenting the initiatives of the Centre, particularly the Department of Health, in proactively reaching out to and informing the users of the app regarding risks, best practices and relevant advisories pertaining to the containment of Covid-19.

"If smartphone users do not have the 'Aarogya Setu' app installed on their mobile phones, then that will be punishable and considered a violation of the lockdown directions," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Ashutosh Dwivedi said.

The district police had on Sunday announced extending the Criminal Procedure Code section 144, which bars assembly of four or more people, till May 17, as the central government extended the nationwide lockdown by another two weeks in a bid to check the spread of the virus.

"Spitting in public places will attract punishment along with a fine. Not wearing a face mask in public places or offices will also be a punishable offence.

During the lockdown period, political, social, religious, sports gatherings as well as protest marches and rallies will remain banned across Noida and Greater Noida, the official said in the order.

"The central government has extended the lockdown till May 17 in view of the coronavirus pandemic. Gautam Buddh Nagar has been identified as 'red zone' and hotspots have been identified here. During this duration, all guidelines of the lockdown are to be followed," he said.

Gautam Buddh Nagar, which falls in the 'Red Zone', has 34 containment zones and has recorded 179 positive cases of coronavirus so far, with 102 of these patients being cured and discharged from hospitals, according to official figures.

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