Surjewala lashes out on Government over Submarine Project 75-I, worth ₹45,000 Cr

New Delhi (15/01/2020): “The 45,000Cr Submarine Project 75-I is under a cloud of suspicion owing to allegations of favouritism, crony capitalism, violations of ‘Defence Procurement Procedure 2016′ (DPP-2016) & an alleged overruling of Indian Navy and its ‘Empowered Committee’ by Modi Govt”, stated Congress’ Randeep Surjewala today.

On this, Surjewala raised three questions which directly targets the ruling on the same. These questions were :

1. Is Modi Government favouring Adani Defence JV in the ₹45,000 crore Submarine Project?

2. Is Modi Government promoting financial interests of its crony capitalist friends by violating the DPP 2016 and eligibility conditions contained therein?

3. Is Modi Government overruling Indian Navy and its ‘Empowered Committee in the matter of ineligibility of Adani Defence JV?

After raising these questions, Surjewala shared some facts. He said that, “In April 2019, Request for Expression of Interest’ was issued to build six Conventional Diesel-Electric Submarines for Indian Navy (Project 75-1) under Strategic Partnership Model.”

“The estimated cost of the Project is ₹45,000 crore. An ‘Empowered Committee of the Indian Navy was constituted and headed by Navy’s Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition and five responses were received, which were (a) Larsen & Toubro Limited, (b) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, (c) Reliance Naval & Engineering Limited, (d) Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), and (e) Adani Defence + Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) Joint Venture”, he added.

Commenting on Adani Defence, Surjewala said, “Adani Defence has zero experience of making ships or submarines. It seeks to manufacture submarines based on a clause wherein its experience of setting up and running a power plant is counted.”