NEW DELHI: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has almost finalised its audit on the big-ticket Rafale inter-governmental deal with France which has seen the government and Congress clash over allegations that the defence deal is over priced and tainted by graft.

While Congress chief Rahul Gandhi claimed that the deal for the purchase of the French fighter was changed and UPA negotiated a cheaper rate, the government said the costs have been substantially improved. Congress has demanded disclosure of item-wise details of the Rs 59,000 crore contract.

The government has said UPA was unable to close the deal for seven years after Dassault was announced as the lowest bidder, despite a steeply declining fighter strength. It has said that there was no deal under UPA, and NDA got better costs for fly-way aircraft saving around 350 million euros with an additional weapons, maintenance and training package.

A top source in CAG said the audit is in final stages and can soon be tabled in Parliament as early as the forthcoming monsoon session.