The V VIP copter deal by AgustaWestland, once again exposes the corruption levels in the country. According to sources the Italian state controlled company had kept aside Rs 217 crores to bag the Rs 3,600 crores deal from India. Of course the good gifts figures soared to Rs 362 crores. It cost so much for the firm to convince the concerned over the efficiency of their copters. All this could only be possible after some alterations of a few parameters of the original tender documents.
Italian investigators got a whiff of the scam and started probing the issues. The facts revealed were astonishing, yet emphasizing the routine weakness. The reports cited that firms in Tunisia were in an understandings with a few Indian firms in getting the deal operational. As per the report Finmeccanica CEO, Giuseppe Orsi and Bruno Spagnolini, CEO of AgustaWestland had paid 30 million Euros (Rs 217 crore) to one of the main middlemen Christian Michel. A part of it was to feed the bribe angle of the deal.
The investigations also prove that close relations of the former IAF Chief Air Chief marshal S P Tyagi were actively involved in the deal. Tyagi's cousins Sandeep was with Julie and Docsa, who were supposed to have received Rs 72 lakhs from the middleman who were active parts of the network that started from the CEOs. The arrested also claim, during interrogation that they have an initial agreement over the sharing of the commission on an equal basis (50% each) with the Indian company.
However the retired air chief clarified that the deal was underway in 2010, but he had been out of service in 2007 and hence the implications are false. It is also claimed by the former Defense minister Jaswant Singh that the orders for these (supposed to be sub-standard copters) were ordered by the earlier NDA government. He also added that the Brajesh Mishra was the adviser to the then government and the former chief was innocent in this regards.
Defense Minister AK Antony clarified, India may cancel the Agusta deal if the bribery allegations are proven. Looks like the Tatas have also signed a JV through Indian Rotorcraft, with the Italian firm for setting up local shop-floor for the manufacturer. However an official spokes person for the company claimed that the JV was restricted to civilian supplies. On a broader prospective more involvements in the deal might surface in the coming future claim critics. (Wishesh AarKay)
