Tatragate India: Despite row, plan to buy 100 Tatra trucks

NEW DELHI: Their monopoly over purchases by the Indian Army over a quarter of a century may force the government into approving purchase of over 100 Tatra vehicles at an earlier negotiated price, despite a controversy surrounding these imported trucks and a CBI investigation into allegations of corruption against Tatra, its exorbitant price and concerns about quality.

Interestingly, the purchase of these trucks as part of the Pinaka multibarrel rocket launchers was recommended by the Army headquarters under Gen VK Singh, whose allegations of bribery against Tatra, and his concerns about the quality and pricing of these all-terrain trucks have resulted in the CBI probe. Dependable sources said the ministry of defence, based on Army recommendation, has finalised a proposal for purchase of two regiments of Pinaka rocket launchers worth over Rs 1500 crores. The MoD is believed to have forwarded the proposal to the Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval.

Conitnue