Rafale fighter planes deal yet to be finalised: Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that the deal for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter planes from France has not been finalised yet. 

He said, the government is negotiating to reduce the deal value and save a lot of money. 

Mr Parrikar said this in the Lok Sabha during Calling Attention Motion on the controversial AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal. He accused Congress of spreading rumours that the Rafale deal is being signed for 9 billion dollars. Uttarakhand HC to hear nine rebel Congress MLAs' petition today

Uttarakhand High Court will



today hear nine rebel Congress MLAs' petition against their disqualification. Earlier the hearing was scheduled to be held on coming Monday. 

But the rebel MLAs had filed special representation on Thursday, requesting the court to conduct an early hearing.

Meanwhile, the Centre yesterday agreed to Supreme Court's suggestion for a floor test in the Assembly under the apex court’s supervision. 

The President's rule will temporarily be lifted on Tuesday and Chief Minister Harish Rawat of Congress will seek the confidence vote in the house.