Antony clears UPA from Tatra deal, says govt followed NDA’s norms of 2003

07 May 2012 Evaluate

Vindicating the present government, Defence Minister A K Antony turned the tide of Tatra Scam on the opposition. Antony claimed that present government has not purchased any new Tatra truck and the newly delivered ones are per the contract signed in 2003. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was in power from 1998 to 2004.

Whilst tackling the opposition who created uproar over the scam and were interrupting Antony, he said “we have nothing to hide. So I can answer very boldly.” According to the Defence Minister, government is following the norms established in General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) of 1986. Also, government has not placed any new order for truck since amendment of GSQR in 2008 which was done as per army requirements.

India has been procuring trucks from Tatra since 1973 and during 1986 - 2012 nearly 6,500 vehicles from Tatra have procured. 'In 1997, the then government decided to have a new contract with Tatra. Again in 2003, another contract was signed. Again on record I can show you that it was given to Tatra. This contract continues,' Antony said.

While the ruckus continues in Lok Sabha, the investigating agency CBI is continuing its probe in the scam which was uncovered in March 2012, by Army chief Gen V K Singh wherein he alleged of being offered Rs 14 crore bribe for to clear a deal for supplying sub-standard Tatra trucks. Singh alleged that Lt Gen (retd) Tejinder Singh offered bribe on behalf of truck suppliers Tatra and Vectra. The army press release dated March 05 reported names of Tatra and BEML. So far around 7,000 Tatra trucks have been bought by the army since 1986.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×