BJP seeks probe into approval for Tata-Agusta

Objecting to government approval of a joint venture between Tata Sons and AgustaWestland for the assembly of helicopters in India,the BJP Monday demanded investigation into the conduct of Foreign Investment Promotion Board FIPB for approving the deal despite the allegations of kickbacks in a VVIP chopper deal involving AgustaWestland.

In a shocking development,the FIPB in its meeting on September 19 approved the proposal of Indian Rotorcraft,which is a joint venture between Tata Sons 74 and AgustaWestland 26. The BJP strongly objects this move by the UPA government, BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said,terming the deal as a reward to rogue company.

The FIPB approval has to be seen in the light of scam charges involving Finmeccanica AgustaWestlands parent company being investigated. This company should have been blacklisted and all deals be scrapped till the probe gets over,but the UPA is acting to the contrary, she added.

The Congress must explain about its personal interest in getting this approval. The FIPB conduct must be investigated in the light of the chequered history of Agusta Westland, Lekhi demanded.