No decision yet on cancellation of Agusta deal: A K Antony

NEW DELHI: The government has not taken any decision on canceling the deal for 12 VVIP helicopters with AgustaWestland which is being investigated by CBI on the allegation that the Anglo-Italian firm paid bribes to win the lucrative deal, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply, Defence Minister A K Antony said the government was yet to take a final decision on the fate of the deal.

"While the operation of the contract for procurement of 12 VVIP/VIP helicopters has been put on hold, no decision has been taken so far to cancel the contract," he said in reply to a question asked by BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

The company had allegedly paid kickbacks of over Rs 300 crore and CBI registered a case on March 12 to probe the charge, which is denied by the firm.