Goa MLA demands probe into bribery case

Reports suggest that a $1 milllion bribe for the Goa project was paid to a Minister in 2010.

Reports suggest that a $1 milllion bribe for the Goa project was paid to a Minister in 2010. Photo: www.louisberger.com

Independent MLA from Fatorda Vijai Sardesai on Sunday demanded a thorough probe into the all the dealings of the Goa government with Louis Berger which has been charged with bribing Indian officials to secure major developmental projects in India.

He raised concerns about the credibility of the technical feasibility report that was prepared by the company for the proposed Mopa international airport in north Goa.

Mr. Sardesai also asked if the Rs.14 crore paid to Louis Berger by the State government involved any bribery or immoral business practices.

Reports suggest that a $1 milllion bribe for the Goa project was paid to a Minister in 2010, details of which have not been disclosed by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mr. Sardesai reminded that he had expressed his doubts about Louis Berger in the Goa Legislative Assembly in 2013 and the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had even gone ahead and defended the company.

Louis Berger was paid Rs.8 crore for a technical feasibility report for the Dona Paula–Vasco Sea Link project by the erstwhile Congress-led government. The project, however, was scrapped.