Bangalore, Aug 25: Defence Minister George Fernandes today said that there was "no putting on hold" the much-awaited Advance Jet Trainer (AJT) deal and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) would take a decision. "No putting on hold,” Fernandes told reporters when asked if government would delay a decision in the wake of reports about the difference in the final price of AJT.

Asked how much time it would take for the decision to emerge, he said the CCS had to decide.

Fernandes had said here on Wednesday last that the CCS would clear the AJT deal "within the next fortnight".
He was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of operations of air deccan, a low cost air-service to Mangalore and Hubli, at Bangalore airport.

Asked about the defence airbase being used for feeder service, he said, "it should not be a problem", noting that such an arrangement existed in the north-east and also in Goa.

Fernandes also declined to comment on press reports that the Indian Air Force had indicted and sent "stinkers" to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited here on MiG crashes, saying he had not seen the reports.
Bureau Report