IAF Warned Against Aggressive Mkting, Corrupt Vendors

April 25, 2011 by Shiv Aroor LIVEFIST

Beautiful timing, coming as it does smack in the middle of the end (hopefully) of the MMRCA journey. In what is indubitably inspired by the recent IAF bribery scandal at Aero India, Indian Defence Minister AK Antony today called upon the top brass of the IAF not to succumb to "corrupt practices indulged by vested interests in the garb of 'aggressive marketing’", demanding that the IAF "strive for probity and fair play in their day to day dealings". The Minister made the same call to the Army.

An IAF wing commander is shortly to be court martialled on allegations that he demanded bribes in exchange for favourable static display spots for aircraft at February's Aero India show (A Dassault executive who called attention on the IAF officer has since been blacklisted by the IAF).

The Minister said, “Time and cost overruns apart, there is always the danger of falling prey to corrupt practices perpetrated by vested interests in the garb of aggressive marketing. I strongly urge you all to stand guard with resolve against any such overtures. You must strive to uphold sincerity, probity and fair play, even in your day to day administrative work.”