The party also demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into all consultancy projects secured by the US-based consultancy firm Louis Berger, including the Rs 19 crore project as technical consultants to analyze the feasibility of Mopa airport.

BJP Goa unit president Vinay Tendulkar said, “All such companies should be blacklisted in Goa and all works issued to Louis Berger should be investigated through CBI. We will convey this to Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar.”

Tendulkar said that a delegation from Goa will soon meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged bribery case in which Louis Berger has admitted to paying Rs 6 crore as a bribe to Goa ministers and officials to secure JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) projects. 

Beside JICA, Louis Berger was also allotted the consultancy for the technical feasibility of the Vasco-Dona Paula sea-link project for Rs 8 crore and to study the feasibility of the greenfield Mopa airport for Rs 19 crore. 

The Mopa airport feasibility consultancy was awarded to Louis Berger by the BJP-led government whereas the JICA and sea-link consultancy projects were by the Congress government. 

Tendulkar also demanded the immediate removal of JICA project director A M Wachasunder claiming he may manipulate documents or hamper crucial documentary evidence.

The BJP also said it will raise this issue in the Lok Sabha as Louis Berger has consultancy projects across the country.

Tendulkar said the Goa government should get officials of Louis Berger in Goa to name the officers and ministers to whom they had paid a bribe.

Meanwhile, Public Works Department (PWD) minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar has sought a detailed report from the JICA director detailing all events. The report will be submitted to the Goa government and later to the Crime Branch to verify the facts and figures, Dhavalikar said.

Dhavalikar said that of Rs 1031 crore sanctioned for the JICA project Rs 700 crore has already been spent and released by the department. Almost 80 percent of the work of various projects has been completed.

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Complaint filed

Social activist Kashinath Shetye filed a complaint with CBI on Monday against the PWD minister for accepting a bribe in connivance and in conspiracy with JICA Chief Engineer AM Wachasunder and transferring some amount to Anagha Wachasunder trust from 2010 to 2015 to a tune of Rs 6 crore. 

The complaint states that a ‘top most minister’ (minister not named) who has moved to the Centre also took bribe in the Mopa airport project from the same company to a issue a contract of Rs 14 crore and the sea link connecting Dona Paula-Vasco. Shetye has alleged the role of Congress and BJP in accepting kick backs from Louis Berger.