New Delhi: Defence Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday said that in view of India’s security preparedness, the norms relating to blacklisting weapons manufacturing firms facing corruption charges have been eased partially.
“The issue (of blacklisting) has been discussed at length at the defence ministry. There are a large number of firms which have been blacklisted. Now that upholds consideration of probity but that narrows our buying options which can affect our security preparedness,” Jaitley told the media here, adding the issue was considered by the attorney general and the law ministry.
“We have eased to the extent that where supplies have already been made, you need servicing of those equipment. Now you cannot say we have blacklisted you and we won’t take your spare parts. That will make the equipment redundant,” he said.