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Journalism of Courage
Stepping up its offensive against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the eve of his government’s first anniversary, the Congress on Sunday accused him of promoting “crony capitalism”. It asked why state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was kept out of the purchase of multi-role combat aircraft from France.
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He asked why HAL was kept out of the agreement for the purchase of fighter jets. As per the earlier arrangement, he said HAL was to manufacture 108 jets through transfer of technology from Dassault, the French company which manufactures the Rafale. He asked which private sector firm had been brought in and whether it was in national interest to keep HAL out of the deal. “These questions will be raised and the government will have to respond,” he said.
The Congress also rejected the government’s claims that it was a ‘decisive’ government. Sharma said several scientific and research institutes remain headless even one year after the formation of the BJP government. Pointing out that the BJP used to charge the former UPA government with policy paralysis, he said there was paralysis in decision-making now.
There is no Lokpal yet and the CIC and CVC remain headless, he said. “If it is true that the government is very decisive, then what is the reason for not appointing the chiefs in these important bodies,” Sharma asked.
