The Czech embassy in India has denied that its government had banned export of any defence equipment in 1993. This contradicts a rejoinder given by state-owned BEML following a DNA expose last year.
In a series of reports last July, DNA exposed how BEML purchased Tatra trucks from an agent, Tatra Sipox (UK) Ltd, and not from Tatra Czech, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), in violation of defence procurement guidelines. Top BEML and defence ministry allegedly siphoned off Rs 750 crore in bribes and commissions during the past 14 years as a result of this.
BEML had said that “In 1993, when BEML needed parts and spare parts and supplies for new trucks, M/S OMNIPOL [Tatra Czech] could not sell, as they were barred from any exports.”
However, in response to a query by DNA, the Czech embassy has said the Czech foreign ministry is not aware of any “restriction that would be imposed on arms export to India in 1993”.
A high-ranking officer in Tatra Czech also told DNA that “export of military (defence) equipment from the Czech Republic (or former Czech and Slovak Federal Republic) was never banned.” In fact, the BEML had never approached Tatra Czech for any direct deliveries, he added.
