Centre asks Supreme Court to dismiss Rafale review pleas

New Delhi: The Centre has filed its detailed-written replies to the Supreme Court in connection with the review petitions regarding the big-ticket government-to-government deal to procure Rafale fighter jets from France.
On Friday, the Central government, in its written replies, stated that the Rafale review pleas should be dismissed. Interference by the court will affect operation preparedness.
The Modi dispensation has submitted its final note in Rafale review case.
It has sought dismissal of all the review petitions on various grounds, including the fact that any interference, at this stage, will also affect the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force.
In its written submissions, the Centre sought dismissal of review pleas and affirmed that petitioners used certain documents with the intention to present a selective and incomplete picture.
The Centre also asked the apex court not to interfere in matters of defence preparedness, procurement of fighter aircrafts and leave it to experts, including the Defence Ministry.
Union of India also cited the Comptroller-and-Auditor-General report which said the price negotiated by the present governmentt was 2.8% lesser than what was finalised by the United Progressive Alliance dispensation.
The Centre also reiterated that the monitoring of the progress by Prime Minister’s Office of this Government process cannot be construed as interference or parallel negotiations. (UNI)