New Delhi, January 5: Congress president Rahul Gandhi today took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over reports of the financial crisis in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Gandhi took to Facebook to slam PM Modi for giving offset contract of Rafale deal to Anil Ambani’s Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited instead of HAL. Through his post, he accused the Narendra Modi led central government for weakening the public sector company to benefit Ambani’s firm. Rafale Deal Controversy: HAL Capable of Manufacturing Fighter Jets, Says Chairman R Madhavan.

Referring to Ambani he wrote that nobody should be surprised to know that HAL has no money to pay salaries to its employees as for fulfilling the offset contract Modi’s friend needs capable employees and motive cannot be achieved without weakening the public sector firm. Gandhi also accused the prime minister of ignoring the welfare of the nation to benefit his friend.

Earlier in the day, reports surfaced the HAL is facing the financial crisis, and the company has taken a loan of about Rs 1,000 crore to pay salaries of its employees. As per reports, till March the total outstanding dues of the HAL from the armed forces could reach Rs 20,000 crore. HAL’s chairman while speaking to The Times of India said that the public sector unit has negative cash in hand, so the firm opted for an overdraft of Rs 1,000. HAL Records Highest Turnover of Rs 18,28,386 Lakhs in Financial Year: CMD R Madhavan.

Opposition parties are attacking the BJP government at the Centre for offset contract given to Ambani’s company instead of HAL. However, the Supreme Court on 14 December had dismissed petitions challenging the deal between India and France for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2019 11:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).