File photo: Former Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel
Nationalist Congress Party leader Praful Patel on Friday night trashed claims made by former Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai about the former Civil Aviation Minister allegedly "nudging" Air India to go in for large-scale purchase of aircraft.
"I rubbish the claims made by Vinod Rai. A former bureaucrat, Mr Rai should know the rules of business of government. Decisions of such nature can only be taken after clearance of the Project Investment Board and approval of the Union Cabinet," he told PTI. (
Now Kamal Nath Says Manmohan Singh May Have Made a Mistake)
Mr Rai has claimed that he was under pressure to drop the name of Mr Patel from the auditor's report on the purchase of aircraft for the public carrier. The former CAG claimed that when the draft report reached the ministry, the bureaucrats tried to prompt him to drop the word "nudge". (
Former Auditor Vinod Rai's Allegations Spark Political Row)
Refuting the charge, Mr Patel said, "In this case, the Air India Board took the decision and it was the Empowered Group of Ministers headed by P Chidambaram which decided on the number of aircraft (to be purchased) and this was approved by the Union Cabinet." (
Congress Slams Vinod Rai, Calls His Remarks 'Latest Bout of Sensationalism')
Mr Patel said Mr Rai should be made aware of the fact that he had ceased to be the Civil Aviation Minister in January 2011 and that the auditor had submitted his report some six months later.
"The question of anyone going to him (Mr Rai) and talking to him or his officers at my behest from the Civil Aviation ministry itself contradicts his claims and I don't wish to join issue with people like him," he said.