The Hindu : National : No decision on blacklisting Barak firm

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Friday, Oct 13, 2006
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National

No decision on blacklisting Barak firm

Special Correspondent

Situation not similar to Denel: Pranab

NEW DELHI: The Government on Thursday said no decision had been taken to blacklist the Israeli manufacturing company making the Barak Anti-Missile Defence system following the decision of the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a case against the former Defence Minister, George Fernandes, and the former Samata Party president, Jaya Jaitly, for allegedly receiving kickbacks in the deal.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee gave an indication to this effect when journalists asked him whether the company, Israel Aircraft Industry, would be blacklisted.

Mr. Mukherjee said the situation could not be likened to the move against South African arms firm Denel.

Different situations

"These are totally different situations. The case of Denel and Barak are not comparable. There is a specific case filed by the CBI regarding Barak missiles. It will go to the courts. Let's await the decision," he said on the sidelines of a function here to receive a dividend cheque from State-run Goa Shipyards.

Blacklisted

The Government had earlier blacklisted South African arms major Denel after the CBI had begun probe into reports that it had paid commission to middlemen to sell anti-material rifles to India.

Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh who was also present said there was a need for urgent public debate on whether banning companies for any misdemeanour in such sales was the answer.

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