State government yet to blacklist Louis Berger firm

PANJIM: In a possible attempt to allegedly provide ‘backdoor entry’ to US-firm Louis Berger in the State, Goa government has till date not blacklisted the company even though it faces court trial in the international bribery scandal.  

“Louis Berger Company is not registered as Consultant with PWD and as such, no action is initiated against them towards blacklisting,” Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar submitted in response to Independent legislator Rohan Khaunte’s question in the just-concluded winter session of the Legislative Assembly. 

The chief minister also conceded that the assumed amount of bribery as regards to the JICA project in Goa is to the tune of $976,630. 

Former high level executive at LB International James McClung, the company - Louis Berger Group Inc., ex-PWD minister Churchill Alemao, former JICA Project Director Anand Wachasunder, LB India’s former vice president Satyakam Mohanty, alleged hawala operator Raichand Soni and MMC Chairperson Arthur D’Silva were seven accused chargesheeted in the bribery scandal under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 201 (destruction of evidence and giving false information) of Indian Penal Code and sections 7, 8, 9 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. 

As many as 42 witnesses’ statements, including those whose deposition was recorded before the judicial magistrate under Section 164 of the code of criminal procedure, were included in the 482-page charge-sheet. Interestingly, ex-chief minister Digambar Kamat – who had to skip majority sittings of the monsoon session of the assembly in 2015 owing to the case investigation – is still wanted by the CB for interrogation. 

In the written reply, Parsekar – also Home Minister -- states “accused Kamat’s” interrogation is essential to unearth the deep rooted conspiracy. “The application for cancellation of the anticipatory bail granted to accused Kamat who is prime conspirator in this case is pending before Supreme Court. The investigation in respect of accused could not be completed as his custodial interrogation is essential to unearth the deep rooted conspiracy. Supplementary Report will be submitted before Special Judge, Panjim after conclusion of the investigation in respect of the prime conspirator,” the reply mentions. 

The reply also tabled that other accused and prime witnesses had confessed about Kamat and Alemao receiving bribe of Rs 1.20 crore and Rs 75 lakh respectively.