New Delhi: The technical requirements to facilitate Italian helicopter firm were tweaked during BJP led NDA government in 2003. According to the Defence ministry sources, in 2003, the required altitudes at which helicopters could operate was dropped from 18,000 to 15,000 feet. And, the changes were authorised by the then defence minister George Fernandez. In fact, changes were made only the recommendation of Prime Minister's Office and at the behest of the then the National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra.
“Requirement changing is not an easy thing to do. There is a process and check and balances. Only the Defence minister has the final authority to change the requirement. The changes were made in 2003 on the recommendations of Prime minister's Office. And the changes remained same till it went to tendering in 2006 during my tenure as IAF chief,” Ex IAF chief Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi said, whose name has been dragged into controversy after his cousines were named by Italian investigators of bribery in Rs. 3760 Crore 12 VVIP helicopter deal.
14/02/13 Pradip R Sagar/Daily News & Analysis
