New Delhi, June 1: Another controversy has gripped the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The central government has denied the charges of bribery levelled by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau that officials of the defence ministry and the Indian Air Force had received kickbacks of Rs 17.5 crore($2.6 million) to upgrade Russian-made transport aircraft, Antonov-32.  The government in a statement clarified that no IAF and MoD officials had received kickbacks from a Ukraine company Spetstechnoexport, that was revamping the ageing Russian transporters An-32.

In a press release, the government said, “It is informed that MoD or IAF has neither interacted nor signed any agreement with Global Marketing SP Ltd., nor were any such agreements witnessed. IAF has also confirmed that Global Marketing SP Ltd. has not participated in any of the meetings held towards finalisation of the contract dated 26.11.2014 with STE Ukraine.” The government has also clarified that the Embassy of Ukraine in India had sent a request to MHA and MEA, Govt. of India dated 06.03.2018 for legal assistance in the investigation of a criminal case filed against officials of Ukraine Government’s State Owned Enterprise (STE).

'A misleading news item has appeared in @IndianExpress alleging kickbacks to GoI officials through Global Marketing SP Ltd in contract for spares for AN-32 Aircraft. MoD or @IAF_MCC has not signed any agreement w/ above mentioned firm'

Full Press Release-https://t.co/eYNnaNeTH0

— Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) May 31, 2018

In a report published by Indian Express, it was mentioned that the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NAB) sent a “request for international legal assistance” to the Ministry of Home Affairs via the Indian envoy in Kiev.

Meanwhile, The Congress has attacked the Modi government over the allegations of the NAB of alleged kickbacks. The Rahul Gandhi in his tweet took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress president has also demanded immediate action against corrupt officials.

Ministry Of Defence, India (MODI) officials, accused of making millions of $'s in kickbacks via Dubai by Ukrainian Govt. in AN32 deal.

Modi ji, as our self proclaimed chokidar, I urge you to take immediate action against your corrupt MODI officials.#BJPDefenceScam https://t.co/ZCKkgR8muc

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 31, 2018

The MoD signed the agreement with Ukrainian state-run Spetstechnoexport on November 26, 2014, for the supply of spares to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. According to the report, Spetstechnoexport signed another agreement with Global Marketing SP Ltd for the implementation of the main agreement. India has a fleet of 104 An-32 transporters. These aircraft are considered to be the backbone of IAF, as they carry men and material to distant and inhospitable areas.

This is not the first time that the defence ministry has been attacked  over the allegations of corruption in defence deals.  Earlier the opposition had also alleged corruption in the Rafale deal inked by the Modi government. In the past also similar allegations were levelled against the ministry for Westland Chopper deal and the famous Bofors deal.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 01, 2018 05:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).