The records show that while renewing the contract with Rishi promoted Tatra Sipox UK in 2003, during the tenure of then then CMD VRS Natarajan, BEML officials claimed that they had no option but to enter in agreement as only it had axle technology which was unique selling point of Tatra trucks, CBI sources said.
BEML officials claimed in their correspondence with Defence Minstry that Rishi had refused to supply anything related to the axle technology which leaves no option but to continue with supply agreement with his firm, they said.
The sources claimed the technology that PSU was citing to be exclusively with Rishi's firm was apparently handed over by Tatra to BEML as part of technology transfer agreeemnt with the PSU in 1986.
The CBI sources said probe revealed BEML had received most of the designs by 1991 including the axles, which give the Tatra Trucks ability to traverse difficult terrains, but still the officials kept saying that Rishi had refused to indigenise it.
The sources said BEML had renewed the contract in 2003, with Rishi's firm Tatra Sipox UK which was three years ahead of scheduled renewal.
The allegations of any wrongdoing had been refuted by Rishi as well as Natarajan saying no rules were violated.
Sources said probe has been able to prove beyond doubt that BEML officials were allegedly not telling the complete truth. More
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