'Phukan panel used IAF craft'

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today indicated that the Phukan Commission enquiring into the acquisition of 14 items for the Army and the Air Force by the defence ministry, was accorded facilities that were not normally accorded to a commission.

This set off a storm of protest in the Lok Sabha as members belonging to the Left parties shouted that they wanted a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the circumstances in which a special IAF aircraft was provided to Justice Phukan to see the equipment that was under the probe commission's scanner.

It was then Defence Minister George Fernandes who gave the clearance for Justice Phukan to use the official aircraft, a facility that is limited to nine categories of public servants including the President and the Prime Minister, but does not include chairmen of commissions.

It was on this point that the Left members rose to their feet and demanded an enquiry.

Mukherjee said the Phukan Commission was looking into the purchase of 14 items, which he wanted to see for himself. The defence minister's concurrence was obtained. Eight officers and Mrs Phukan accompanied Justice Phukan in a service aircraft to Pune and an IAF helicopter to Ahmadnagar.

Journeys were also undertaken to Mumbai (by helicopter) and Delhi (IL 76 transport aircraft). Phukan visited Shirdi by road.

Mukherjee said the aircraft could be used by those entitled and the costs recovered from them. But if a competent authority authorises such visits for reasons of state, no money would have to be paid.

"Normally for such visits of a commission, IAF aircraft are not provided," he said.