Government, Navy not on same page on Scorpene leak: Congress

The Congress on Monday alleged that the central government and the Navy are not on the same page on the Scorpene data leak, and that the government was trying to "brush the issue under the carpet".

It also demanded a probe into the leak by a sitting or retired Supreme Court judge.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said that the government and the Defence Minister were not responding to the gravity of the leak, but the Navy Chief has termed the leak a serious issue.

"The government and its Defence Minister are trying to make us believe that the Scorpene data leak is not a very serious issue and that it does not compromise our national security. This is false," Tewari said.

"Even the Navy chief has acknowledged that the leak of documents pertaining to submarines which are under trial is a serious issue," he added.

Tewari wondered if the Defence Minister had gone through the 22,240 leaked papers before making a claim that it poses no security risk.

"I wonder if the Defence Minister read the leaked documents or is aware of their content before making the claim that the leak does not compromise national security," Tewari said.

He said that with the details about the submarines signature, its propulsion and sonar frequency etc already in public domain, its security has been compromised.

"India's adversaries can easily access this information now and make preemptive changes in their strategy.

"Still the government is claiming that the submarines security has not been compromised. They are trying to brush the issue under the carpet," he said.

Tewari demanded to know what action the government has initiated against the French manufacturing company, DCNS, as per contract terms.

--IANS

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