Cong leader seeks JPC probe in the Rafale deal

Senior Congress leader K V Thomas today demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the Rafale fighter jet deal.

Participating in a debate on Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, Thomas questioned the "secrecy" behind not revealing the cost.

"The prime minister promised clean and transparent governance. It (the deal) will come under the (scrutiny) of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The cost will also be revealed when it comes before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)," Thomas said.

People have the right to know about the cost, Thomas said.

When asked later, Thomas said this was his personal demand.

The Congress also today submitted notices for breach of privilege in the Lok Sabha against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for "misleading" House on Rafale deal.

The party has been stepping up the attack on the government claiming that the Modi-led dispensation had bought the 36 aircraft at a higher cost than what was negotiated by the UPA.

The government has been mainitaining that the cost could not be revealed, citing the secrecy clause in the Rafale deal between India and France.