Controversy over Tatra truck deal figures in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of controversy over Tatra truck deal, government today told the Rajya Sabha the purchases were made as per the requirement raised by defence forces and action will be taken if any wrongdoing was detected in the ongoing CBI probe.

"We are clean...we have nothing to hide, nothing to fear," Defence Minister A K Antony said, replying to queries related to Tatra truck deals.

He said the government has ordered an extensive and comprehensive CBI enquiry in the matter and hoped the country's premier investigation agency would complete the probe as quickly as possible.

The Minister said action would be taken and he would give extensive reply on the matter during a debate on the working of Defence Ministry in the House.

He said the purchases of the trucks were made as per the "requirement" of the defence forces.

Regarding a question on blacklisting of domestic and foreign arms companies, he said "we are in difficult situation" as "powerful" countries, vendors and domestic players all want Indian business.

Whenever there is any case of corruption action is taken, the minister said.

He also said the ministry has decided to seek advice of Central Vigilance Commission and Law Ministry before going ahead with the ongoing projects.

Admitting that retired defence officers have been lobbying for defence deals, Antony said government would "seriously" consider recommendation a parliamentary committee to increase the cooling off period of ex-officers to 5 years from the present one year for joining private jobs.