Procedure fine, George raked defence scam: Cong

Two days after the Centre submitted an affidavit in Supreme Court stating there was no violation of procedures in the Kargil purchases, the ...

Two days after the Centre submitted an affidavit in Supreme Court stating there was no violation of procedures in the Kargil purchases, the Congress today sought to clarify its position by arguing that it had raised the issue of scandals and not the procedures involved in emergency purchases.

Party spokesman Anand Sharma said ex-Defence minister George Fernandes’ claim on being given a clean-chit was misleading. He said: ‘‘If he is talking about 1999 purchases, then we have never talked about guidelines but about scandals relating to them.’’

Sharma said Congress was not questioning arms purchases made in an emergency like Kargil. It had raised the issue of irregularities in the purchases such as high prices were paid for them as compared to the market rates. He said certain guidelines were issued in 1992 for purchases of defence equipments, which were changed in 1999 and fresh guidelines were issued (post-Kargil period).

He said: ‘‘This affidavit is related to the 1992 guidelines.’’ He did not agree with the suggestion that Congress was engaged in damage control. ‘‘We are trying to correct the version put forth by Fernandes and the media,’’ he said.

Debris found in Dal Lake could be from missile Pak fired during Op Sindoor

India2 hr ago

Debris believed to be from a missile fired by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in May has been found in Srinagar's Dal Lake. The debris has been handed over to the Air Force for further investigation. Sources say the target may have been a military installation in Srinagar, which is close to the lake. The make of the missile is yet to be determined.

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