On the face of it, it looks like an attempt to counter the BOFORS deal.
India is a rotten democracy where every one points every one else. And no one trusts any one - be it in politics , in media or in general public life.
The accusations, manufactured controversies have become so common place that average citizen became indifferent to these things.
When an average citizen becomes indifferent, the democracy has gone to dogs. Because there is no genuine discussion among citizens, independent thinking ( all the time the media trash feeds biased stuff) or expression of honest opinion.
These controversies have become institutionalized.
Media is largely responsible for the plight of the state. The kind of fiction , trash and trivia the Indian media manufactures and disseminates - makes even the most rational of thinkers suspect every thing.
Mostly these are manufactured controversies by media and the so called analysts and commentators.
The puzzling question one breaks his head on is Whether the author thinks following some ESOTERIC due process supersedes the national interest ?
I mean what are we dealing with ? Bunch of stray dogs fighting for scraps here ? What does the author mean competitive environment ? Just by bringing in one more competitor does the author think better quality of fighter jets ensured ?
We are living in an era where business is conducted like science - not some mumbo jumbo bookish guidelines.
Re: Manufactured controversies
by Sudarshan Nityananda on Dec 01, 2017 06:48 AM
However honest a person, however well minded, there are a set of procedures by which he has to conduct himself when in Govt. We are not at war where certain rules are set aside. Rafale is a moderately good decision but his unilateral decisions without following procedures smacks of arrogance. How can the PM then lecture China to follow a rules based regime on the South China Sea ? Sheer hypocrisy.
Maybe the costing error that the author points out is a lucky break for India. Otherwise we would have been stuck with the Typhoon, which is made in 5 different countries and may also have US built parts. Rafale is an all-French aircraft and not subject to US blackmail . We can't always go on the cheap and look for lowest prices. The latest evaluations point out that in most aspects except stealth the Rafale is much better than even the US F-35. So, maybe it's a good deal for a country like India with a surging economy.
Like all surging economies , however, we also see confirmed signs of cronyism in the way the deal has benefited a hanger- on of the current NDA disposition.
P M has championed the belief that rule base frame work for selected venders was superfluous when the tiller of National Security was in the hands of self - accredited DESH BHAKTS. Why deal was announced without clearance from cabinet or defence ministry ? Why its original Indian partner HAL was junked & the baton handed over to Anil Ambani co. --perceived to be close to PM ?. In spite of repeated enquiries , no cost break down figures were revealed . So how to ascertain that prices are indeed cheaper than quoted in MMRCA tender during UPA regime !!. Doubts are highlighted that Modi Govt. has inked a deal which is far costlier per plane than the one negotiated by UPA regime ? Instead of another defence deal sinking in the quagmire of misgivings , Govt. needs to clear the air as soon possible.
Re: Flap over fighter jet
by ashish tiwari on Dec 01, 2017 02:15 AM
We trust Modi based on his record and his public life. A person who is honest for 20 years will not become dishonest just for one deal. He doesnt work 18 hours a day for this.
So you can trouble your mind over all this, the country has full trust and faith in Modi and his decision.
People need to understand that Modi is no in politics for power or money. He is in politics with a sense of patriotism that propels a soldier on the border. Modi's aim is to make india great not himself..
I have been reading article from Mr Shukla since 2009 at the very least and find his positions to be quite amusing, nothing else. Here too, his 4 questions are only of academic interest and even a lay reader like me can answer them. Especially the 2nd question betray a total lack of understanding (or deliberate obfuscating) of the matter at hand. What does he mean by "handing the contract to a single vendor on a platter" On the contrary, by ordering a smaller no of aircrafts, Modi only broke the logjam and opened the doors for other vendors like Grippen and F-16. Now Rafale may yet come back, based on the argument that it is better to have a smaller variety of aircrafts, but it may have to again go through a fierce bidding and competition- something which was not done when MMRCA was turned into a 2 stage process. Costs- For 36 aircrafts, a slightly higher price was paid but it included a complete avionics and weapons package not envisaged earlier. Another important point was that the clauses that were causing the logjams were avoided. Only the question of delay by UPA remains. Why did that happen? Well, all deals during UPA got delayed. Why? It can only be speculated!
Re: Rubbish article
by Sudarshan Nityananda on Dec 01, 2017 06:44 AM
Cost for 36 aircraft was not slightly higher but significantly higher. Maybe even 30% higher even after allowing for the extra weapons and maintenance.That is what has paid for the offset s commitment. That will come out in the CAG report in 2 years time . They are the best people to evaluate this aspect.
When Country was facing external threats and Indian defense personnel are having fear physcosis to battle with the enemy.The Indian cabinet and congress ministers including the Government were under severe internal corruption menace left the country in a state of uncertainty. MODI has to take some decision which kept the defense on toes & it was proved with Doklam incident on MODI's point of action.Hence no comments please.You need to equip your defense force on par with the enemy. When the enemy is in front of you no one teaches you or advises what to do.It is your own diligence on the spot to deliver results. Hence he deserves praise from the world over for the action.
Mr. Ajay Shukla please note that system is for us. We are not for system. If their is corruption please proof that. No point in buying aircraft after loosing the war. If it cost more also it should be baught when required. Also please explain how the deal is loss to Country if you have data.
Re: Eat when you are hungry
by India.Today on Nov 30, 2017 04:41 PM
If no scam, why people/BJP are scared of an independent probe ?
Moreover, through this decision, technology transfer/maintenance, etc., was snatched away from state owned Hindustan Aeronautics and handed over to a private player, who do not have any expertise in this field. In addition, this decision would not only demoralise the state owned HAL, but will also cause huge otherwise avoidable burden on the exchequer later.
The revised deal would also cause additional financial implication on the exchquer.
Hence, there is nothing wrong in seeking an independent agency probe (may be by agencies like FBI, etc. as people have no faith in Indian agencies, which are likely to be influenced by BJP administration)
It would be probed when a non-BJP administration comes into power and if anything wrong had been done, then the concerned would be liable to answer.
Re: Re: Eat when you are hungry
by Abhishek Thakur on Nov 30, 2017 05:49 PM
if you start installing an independent probe for each and every decision taken then very soon you will find yourself is a logjam!
