New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday accused the government of “blatant favouritism” and giving “undue advantage” to the Adani group in major small arms contracts for the armed forces. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, posing a set of three questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the party’s ‘Hum Adani Ke Hain Koun’ series, said the party had asked the PM several questions on February 15 regarding ‘handing over’. Large share of India-Israel defense partnership to his “close friend” Gautam Adani. The Congress’s flurry of allegations came weeks after Adani Group shares plunged following allegations by US-based short seller Hindenburg Research including fraudulent transactions and share-price manipulation. The Gautam Adani-led group has dismissed the allegations as false, adding that it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements.
“While he (PM) imparts his wisdom to G20 foreign ministers, he cannot run away from HAHK (Hum Adanike Hain Koun)-20,” Ramesh tweeted. In his statement posted on Twitter, the Congress general secretary raised questions about the “role of the prime minister” in giving “undue advantage” to the Adani group in major small arms contracts for the armed forces.
While He gives his gyaan to G20 Foreign Ministers, He cannot run away from HAHK(Hum Adanike Hain Kaun)-20.
Chuppi Todiye Pradhan Mantriji pic.twitter.com/ev8X6XcX3A— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 2, 2023
“In 2018, the Indian Army selected the CAR 816 Close Quarters Battle (CQB) carbine manufactured by the United Arab Emirates-based Caracal International to replace its aging submachine guns. Although this was done under the same ‘fast track process’ as Due to the procurement of 72,400 SIG SAUER 716 assault rifles, the order for 93,895 carbines was suddenly canceled in September 2020,” alleged Ramesh.
He said that on February 10, 2021, the Army issued another request for information for the same quantity of carbines to vendors including Adani Defence.
“Given that our troops in eastern Ladakh are facing an urgent need after the Chinese intrusion, are you giving priority to your comrades over our troops to cancel this contract and open it afresh? Are you not paving the way for another Adani monopoly, this time on the supply of carbines, the total requirement of which is estimated to be up to four lakh guns?” Ramesh charged.
The Congress general secretary in-charge of communications also said that on March 3, 2019, the PM inaugurated an India-Russia joint venture to manufacture AK-203 assault rifles at OFB Korwa factory in Amethi (Uttar Pradesh) and announced that the ‘Make in ‘Amethi’ is a reality.
“It is a different matter that it took three more years to start production of the AK-203. Interestingly, Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd (IRRPL), which is manufacturing 7 lakh AK-203 rifles, got 10 was ousted from the ministry in January, 2023. Defense briefing on CQB contract. You keep stressing on the importance of atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence, yet your government has put India’s largest indigenous small arms factory out for bidding. has been thrown out,” alleged Ramesh.
“Is it because you are once again helping your private sector friends to displace public sector undertakings which are currently supplying arms to the armed forces,” he asked.
The Congress leader asked whether the Prime Minister was concerned that an existing factory producing small arms on a large scale would outstrip his “close friends” and deprive them of another opportunity to profit from Indian taxpayers.
He pointed out that the Indian armed forces have long been equipped with Israeli small arms such as Tavar assault rifles and Galil sniper rifles. “In March 2020, Israel Weapons Industries (IWI) secured an Indian Army contract to supply 16,479 Negev NG-7 light machine guns. In September 2020, Adani bought a majority stake in Gwalior-based PLR Systems, which is owned by IWI , which put Adani in a position to monopolize any follow-on orders for Negev machine guns,” Ramesh claimed.
“If for the sake of argument the IRRPL is being kept out to help new entrants, why is your close friend Adani being allowed to bid for the CQB contract? Isn’t this a clear case of favoritism?” They said. He also urged the Prime Minister to break his “silence” on the issue.