In 2019 polls, Rahul accused govt of ‘shutting down’ HAL; firm’s peaking revenue debunks his claims

New Delhi: Before 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi intensified attack on Modi government and accused it of bringing ‘shutters down’ on the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) but the public sector company today reported his highest ever revenue for the financial year 2021-2022.

The record profit booking by the state-owned company belies the claims made by then Congress President and proves on record that its books are very much in the green & not staring at any downfall.

Posting its record earnings today, the company informed that it has earned generated Rs 24,000 crore for current financial year, as compared to Rs
22,755 crore in previous year. This accounts for Rs 6 percent revenue growth, despite numerous challenges posed by Covid-19 & the lockdown.

HAL achieved record revenue through production of 44 new helicopters/ aircrafts, 84 new engines and overhauling of 203 aircraft/helicopters & 478 helicopters.

Therefore, the question arises why Rahul Gandhi chose HAL’s profit-book to target the Modi dispensation. Was it a political gimmick to score
political points at the cost of a public sector firm? Did Cong not even care to cross-check the facts and picked the Rafale deal to kick up a storm & malign the Modi govt?

Upping the ante against Rafale deal, Rahul had claimed that PM Modi was trying to weaken the HAL to help his ‘suit-boot friend’.

He had also claimed that the company had no money to pay salaries to its employees and it was borrowing money for the same.

Contrary to his allegations, the HAL recently bagged a contract for manufacturing aircrafts for the Army & Indian Air Force. Also, it paid an interim dividend of Rs 40 per share owing to improvement in finances.

Throughout the election campaign, Rahul-led Congress mounted a ‘motivated’ campaign over Rafale deal and alleged that HAL’s rights were being taken away by the ‘Chowkidaar’ for favouring a private firm linked to India’s biggest business family.

With HAL registering unprecedented growth in revenues, Congress has much to answer else its Rafale allegations will invite only derision & no justification.