New Delhi: The Congress demanded answers from the government on Monday over reports of the lifting of a ban on procurement from Finmeccanica company, which had been called corrupt by ruling Bharatiya Janata Party leaders over the Agusta choppers deal in 2014, a PTI report said.
In a series of tweets in Hindi Monday, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked: "What is the 'secret deal' entered into between Modi Govt & Agusta/Finmeccanica? Is it now ok to deal with a company that Modi ji & his Govt called 'corrupt-bribe giver-bogus'?"
Citing reports that the PM Modi-led government is lifting the ban on procurement from Finmeccanica, he added: "Does it mean that fake bogey of corruption is being given a quiet burial? The nation awaits answers."
India had scrapped the contract with Finmeccanica's British subsidiary AgustaWestland in 2014 for supplying 12 AW-101 VVIP choppers to the Indian Air Force over alleged breach of contractual obligations and charges of bribes paid by the firm for securing the deal.
Government sources told ANI on Sunday that the ban has been lifted in dealings with the company with conditions. As per the decision, the investigation against the company by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate would continue.
"The company would also not be allowed to make any financial claims from the Government of India based on any agreements signed earlier and it will have to start afresh after the ban is lifted," said a source.
India had put on hold dealings with the company in 2013-14 during the tenure of the UPA government when European agencies arrested individuals for their role in a Rs 3,600 crore deal to supply 12 AW-101 helicopters to India for ferrying VVIPs, ANI reported.
The sources further said the decision was made by the defence ministry based on a request from the Italian firm and after consulting the law ministry and other agencies.
At the time, the BJP had attacked the Congress, asking if its leaders had received an alleged Rs 450 crore bribe money for the deal signed during the UPA-II government.
Even though the corruption case was related only to AgustaWestland, dealings with the entire Finmeccanica group were put on hold. This included deals for black shark torpedoes also, which were cleared to be acquired by the Indian Navy at that time, reported ANI.
The Congress has now claimed that a "fake bogey of corruption" was raised by the BJP over the buying of VVIP helicopters during the UPA-II rule, and asked if it was being given a quiet burial.
On one of his tweets, Surjewala alleged: "The PM called the company 'corrupt'. HM called the company 'bogus'. Ex Defence Minister accused it of 'bribes and corruption in Parliament. Then, Modi Government - withdrew the blacklisting of Agusta/Finmeccanica on 22nd July 2014. Now, lifted procurement ban".
He asked: "Will they now dare to question the Modi Government on the 'secret deal' with Agusta"?
In 2016, the Italian group Finmeccanica changed its name to Leonardo.