Reports on wednesday suggested that Italian investigators have alleged in a preliminary inquiry submitted in an Italian court that business conglomerate Finmeccanica bribed SP Tyagi when he was chief of the Indian Air Force to swing the controversial AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal in favour of the company.
Former IAF chief air chief marshal S P Tyagi on Wednesday refuted allegations that he was paid bribes to swing a Rs3,600-crore deal for procuring 12 choppers from Italian firm Finmeccanica to ferry VVIPS. "I have been hit by a thunderstorm. I am innocent. These allegations are totally baseless and I am denying them categorically. The deal was signed in 2010 whereas I retired in 2007 itself," he said.
Asked if he had changed any specifications for the contract to favour Finmeccanica, Tyagi said the "staff qualitative requirements for the VVIP choppers were frozen in 2003, much before I assumed the office of Chief of Air Staff, and the IAF did not change any requirements after that."
Asked about his relations with three alleged middlemen for the deal including one 'former IAF officer captain Tyagi', the former chief said he was his cousin but their relationship did not go beyond this.
"Giuseppe Orsi, the head of Italian defence and aerospace giant Finmeccanica, was arrested on Monday in relation to a probe into international corruption. He is suspected of involvement in the payment of bribes regarding the sale to the Indian government of 12 helicopters produced by Finmeccanica's subsidiary AgustaWestland," Italian news agency Ansa said.
"There is smoke," Tyagi said while favouring a probe into the deal.
"According to my information, nothing was done which raises a suspicion from my side. But it is true if there are so many reports, then there is something in it."
Tyagi does mention that the helicopter required originally in 2003 was meant to go to a height of 18000 feet to the Siachen for the then defence minister.
Later, due to some reasons this height was changed to 15000 feet and the height of the cabin was altered.
According to Tyagi these changes were made by the SPG and not by the Air headquarters, further on only the fitments were changed while the type of helicopter was kept the same.
"I don't know what it is but all I can say is that it should be inquired. There should be an inquiry so that all the facts come out. I am not only ready for an inquiry but I want an inquiry," he said.
COURTESY:
Published: Wednesday, Feb 13, 2013, 12:08 IST
Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_ex-air-chief-sp-tyagi-tweaked-requirements-in-chopper-deal-report_1799480
Former IAF chief air chief marshal S P Tyagi on Wednesday refuted allegations that he was paid bribes to swing a Rs3,600-crore deal for procuring 12 choppers from Italian firm Finmeccanica to ferry VVIPS. "I have been hit by a thunderstorm. I am innocent. These allegations are totally baseless and I am denying them categorically. The deal was signed in 2010 whereas I retired in 2007 itself," he said.
Asked if he had changed any specifications for the contract to favour Finmeccanica, Tyagi said the "staff qualitative requirements for the VVIP choppers were frozen in 2003, much before I assumed the office of Chief of Air Staff, and the IAF did not change any requirements after that."
Asked about his relations with three alleged middlemen for the deal including one 'former IAF officer captain Tyagi', the former chief said he was his cousin but their relationship did not go beyond this.
"Giuseppe Orsi, the head of Italian defence and aerospace giant Finmeccanica, was arrested on Monday in relation to a probe into international corruption. He is suspected of involvement in the payment of bribes regarding the sale to the Indian government of 12 helicopters produced by Finmeccanica's subsidiary AgustaWestland," Italian news agency Ansa said.
"There is smoke," Tyagi said while favouring a probe into the deal.
"According to my information, nothing was done which raises a suspicion from my side. But it is true if there are so many reports, then there is something in it."
Tyagi does mention that the helicopter required originally in 2003 was meant to go to a height of 18000 feet to the Siachen for the then defence minister.
Later, due to some reasons this height was changed to 15000 feet and the height of the cabin was altered.
According to Tyagi these changes were made by the SPG and not by the Air headquarters, further on only the fitments were changed while the type of helicopter was kept the same.
"I don't know what it is but all I can say is that it should be inquired. There should be an inquiry so that all the facts come out. I am not only ready for an inquiry but I want an inquiry," he said.
COURTESY:
Published: Wednesday, Feb 13, 2013, 12:08 IST
Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_ex-air-chief-sp-tyagi-tweaked-requirements-in-chopper-deal-report_1799480
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