Defence ministry tells BEML chief to explain legal notice

The defence ministry today asked BEML chairman and managing director VRS Natarajan to explain why he falsely told the media that it had permitted him to file a defamation suit against General (retd) VK Singh.The ministry categorically denied giving permission to the BEML chief.[caption id="attachment_334532" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="BEML chief VRS Natarajan. Image courtesy PIB"][/caption]On 1 June, a day after General Singh demitted office, Natarajan told a press conference that allegations by the former army chief were untrue and he should either apologise or face legal action. "We are astonished that the a man of General VK Singh’s stature would make such damaging statements against the company,” Natarajan then said.BEML has been in the eye of storm for allegedly supplying overpriced and sub-standard Tatra trucks to the army. Vectra group, which owns Tatra, in fact sought MoD permission to initiate legal action against General VK Singh on 30 March. The manufacturers of the truck said they had to take the defence ministry’s permission since General Singh is still a serving army official.