New Delhi: In yet another embarrassing episode for the Congress at the hands of one of its coalition partners, NCP leader and heavy industries minister Praful Patel has questioned the defence ministry's decision to keep state-run units out of the proposed Rs 13,000-crore project to supply 56 transport aircraft to the IAF.
In the letters written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and defence minister A K Antony on October 7, Patel said PSUs - like Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) — that meet the prescribed criteria for participating in the tender should be given an equal opportunity in the project. Antony, currently admitted in the Army R&R Hospital after undergoing prostate surgery, on Wednesday asked his ministry officials "to examine the issues raised" by Patel.
But Patel, who also holds the public enterprises portfolio, has held, "This being a government/public procurement, an equal opportunity and level-playing field is required to be provided to all capable entities irrespective of being 'public' or 'private' in nature. This will also encourage healthy competition."
10/10/13 Times of India
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In the letters written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and defence minister A K Antony on October 7, Patel said PSUs - like Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) — that meet the prescribed criteria for participating in the tender should be given an equal opportunity in the project. Antony, currently admitted in the Army R&R Hospital after undergoing prostate surgery, on Wednesday asked his ministry officials "to examine the issues raised" by Patel.
But Patel, who also holds the public enterprises portfolio, has held, "This being a government/public procurement, an equal opportunity and level-playing field is required to be provided to all capable entities irrespective of being 'public' or 'private' in nature. This will also encourage healthy competition."
10/10/13 Times of India
