Thiruvananthapuram, Wednesday 01 April 2009: Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac has urged Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony to come out of his silence over the “kickbacks” involved in the deal India had entered into with the Israeli company, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), for developing a medium-range surface-to-air missile for the Indian Armed Forces.

At a press conference Dr. Isaac said that one week had elapsed since reports alleging kickbacks to the tune of Rs.600 crore in the deal had appeared in the press. Congress spokesman Anand Sharma had stated that it was for the Defence Ministry to reply to the allegation. Mr. Antony’s silence in the matter was baffling, Dr. Isaac said.

Repeating the questions posed by his party, the CPM, in New Delhi recently, Dr. Isaac asked how it happened that the deal was signed flouting Antony’s own promise that, as the Defence Minister, he would ensure total transparency in Defence deals.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had filed a First Information Report in 2006 with the IAI as one of the accused in connection with the foul-play in a contract for the supply of missiles during the time of the previous National Democratic Alliance government.

Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac said that the state government had allowed to carry over 35 percent of the amount allotted to local bodies in view of the Lok Sabha election. This amount would lapse as the financial year came to an end on March 31, he said.