Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar along with Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar demand a CBI inquiry into the allegations of a New Jersey-based construction management firm bribing Indian officials for a water developmental project in the state.
Two days back, US firm Louis Berger agreed to pay USD 17.1 million criminal fine to resolve charges that it bribed officials in India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Kuwait to secure government construction management contracts.
Goa Police, according to Goa CM, cannot investigate the matter as it is an international issue.
When the contracts were awarded, Congress leader Digambar Kamat was the Chief Minister and Churchill Alemao was Public Works Department Minister. Now it should be revealed which minister took the bribe.
— Laxmikant Parsekar, Chief Minister, Goa
The bribery of USD 976,630 for a Goa project by Louis Berger included payments to a minister, details of which have not been disclosed by the US Department of Justice.
All the tenders for the JAICA project were issued as per Central Public Works Department norms. Anyone can allege that he paid money to the minister, but there should be proper base to support it.
— Digambar Kamat, Former Chief Minister, Goa
He also insisted that no minister intervenes in the procedure after estimates are drawn.
The Water Project
The Indian government, assisted by the Japanese government, initiated the five-year Goa Water Supply and Sewerage Project to expand, rehabilitate and build water and sewerage facilities.
Louis Berger was part of a consortium for the project in Goa.
Two of its former executives - Richard Hirsch (61) of Philippines and James McClung (59) of the UAE - pleaded guilty to the bribery charges.
The sentencing hearings for Hirsch and McClung are scheduled for November 5.
Federal prosecutors, in their 11-page charge sheet, alleged that Louis Berger maintained a detailed diary and account of bribery made to Indian officials as well.
(With inputs from PTI)
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