NEW DELHI, Feb 18 (UNI):Raising a new allegation of a defence scam during the Kargil war, the Congress today charged the NDA government with making a dubious deal of more than Rs.
seven crore with a US firm for purchasing aluminium caskets and bodybags for carrying the remains of soldiers.
The articles, allegedly purchased at highly inflated prices in 1999, were ultimately rejected on technical grounds after 90 per cent payment was made before delivery, the party alleged.
Showing 'documents' purportedly received through the internet, AICC spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told a press conference that the cost of 500 aluminium caskets, each at 2,500 was more than the double of the best in the international market while the unit price paid for 3000 body bags at 85 dollars each was far more than the quoted tag of 27.5 dollars.
The contract purchase order in favour of M/s Butron and Baiza of Texas, was issued on August two 1999 for a total of 1,50,5000 dollars.
Questioning the government whether any tender was floated for the contract, Singhvi alleged that caskets of similar standards were available at 1,200 dollars with defence supply center, the top US defence equipment procurement firm in Philadelphia.
It's also shocking that 90 per cent of the total payment was made before delivery instead of any bank guarantee, while all caskets and body bags ultimately stood rejected for being too heavy ,he said.
Alleging that the government was indulging in rampant corruption in every sector, Sanghvi charged it with playing even with the death of army jawans.
Bhrastachar aur attyachar hai is sarkar ki aadhar (this government is based on corruption and tyranny) ,he said.
