Skip to content Skip to navigation

Watergate and bribegate

By AT News |

The Louis Berger episode touches off a seismic wave of reactions across the state putting a former minister in trouble.  
Caught in a simmering controversy, former GMDA minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarms said that no body bribed him and the contract for the water project was awarded as per rule of the government.
The US department of justice has referred the involvement of officials only and minister, said Dr Sarma. He added that the entire decision was executed under the supervision of Japanese bank which is financing the project.
I would welcome any probe in to the process of awarding the project, which was executed in two phases, he said.
GMDA CEO was also among the other signatories of the contract agreement which was signed by Tosuo Horikawa MD of the Louis Berger Group and Ranjan Bajaj associate director of Louis Berger Group Inc. Prasanna M Shah was also the signatory of the contract agreement to execute the mega water development project in Guwahati.
The New Jersey-based construction management firm has been charged with bribing Indian officials to win two major water developmental projects in Goa and Guwahati. The bribe, of $976,630 for a Goa project by Louis Berger, included that to a minister, the details of which have not been disclosed by the US department of justice.

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org

Add new comment

Random Stories

Voice from the Udalguri relief camps

4 Nov 2008 - 4:45pm | Monjib Mochahari
The unfortunate communal conflagration which erupted on 3 Oct. between indegenous tribes and the illegal Bangaladeshi settlers in Udalguri and Darrang districts of Assam, left more than a lakh...

Food poisoning: over 100 taken ill after consuming botched gram in sivasagar

5 Jul 2010 - 3:26am | editor
At least 150 people have been taken ill after they had consumed botched gram and pulse in Sivasagar district on Sunday. The incident took place near Sonari in Charaideo subdivision a day after they...

14 injured in Howly road mishap

13 May 2008 - 8:23pm | editor
Altogether 14 people have been injured, four them seriously, when a fast moving passenger bus collided head on with an auto van near BH College area in Assam's Barpeta district on Tuesday morning....

More blows for AGP; another MLA to resign

28 Oct 2015 - 9:05am | AT Political Bureau
Blows after blows seem to have awaited the Asom Gana Parishad 6 months before the assembly polls. AGP MLA from Dhakuakhana Naba Doley is believed to have been preparing to leave the regional...

Other Contents by Author

Innovation Spark Ignited at Assam Don Bosco University: IDE Bootcamp Empowers Students and Teachers

Guwahati: The Assam Don Bosco University buzzed with creativity and entrepreneurial spirit over the past two days as the Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship (IDE) Bootcamp for Student Innovators and Teachers concluded. The event, held on April 9th and 10th, welcomed participants with an opening address by Pushpanjalee Konwar. Chief Guest Prof. Amarendra Kumar Das of IIT Guwahati ignited the minds of the young innovators with a talk on agricultural design and fostering innovative ideas. Mayur Madhukar Borkar then outlined the purpose of the bootcamp and its potential to equip participants with valuable skills. Dr. R. Sujatha kicked off the interactive sessions, dividing...

IIIT Guwahati Celebrates Rongali Bihu with Fourth Edition of BOHAGI

The Indian Institute of Information Technology Guwahati (IIITG) hosted the fourth edition of its annual Rongali Bihu festival, BOHAGI, on April 7th, 2024. Held at the institute's campus near Tech City, Bongora, the event aimed to promote Assamese culture among students, faculty, staff, and their families from across India. BOHAGI 2024 featured cultural competitions organized by the IIITG Cultural Board, attracting students from various Assamese colleges. This fostered cultural interaction within the academic community and resonated with the "Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat" initiative, promoting national unity. The celebration focused on enriching knowledge about Assamese folk culture,...

Udalguri DC Transferred Ahead of Lok Sabha Polls

Udalguri: In a move seen as part of the Election Commission's efforts to ensure impartiality during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Udalguri Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Election Officer (DEO) Dr. Sadnek Singh was transferred on Tuesday. An order signed by Jadav Saikia, Secretary to the Government of Assam's Personnel (A) Department, reassigned Dr. Singh as Additional Secretary to the Government of Assam's Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department. Replacing Dr. Singh is IAS officer Javir Rahul Suresh, who previously served as Joint Secretary to the Government of Assam's Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department and held the additional charge of Director of Animal Husbandry...

Jyotiprasad Medhi Award in Mathematical Sciences Announced

On the occasion of his birth centenary this year, Jyotiprasad Medhi Award in Mathematical Sciences is announced by his family. Professor Jyotiprasad Medhi was a world renowned scholar in Statistics who was born on 1st July 1924 in Ramdia, Assam. He received his D.Sc. (with Tres Honorable) from the University of Paris (Sorbonne) in 1956 and returned to Assam to teach at Gauhati University where he later became the Head of the Department in Statistics, Dean of Faculty of Science, and Acting Vice-Chancellor. His textbooks on Stochastic Processes and Queueing Theory are widely used for teaching in many academic institutions around the world. He passed away on 3rd February 2017 at the age of 92...

Smily Academy XP Concludes with Emphasis on Indigenous Solutions for Climate Challenges

Panbaree Machans, Kaziranga: The inaugural Smily Academy XP drew to a successful close yesterday, marking the departure of participants from four continents to their respective countries. The five-day event, held amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Panbaree Machans, Kaziranga, focused on immersive learning experiences with indigenous communities to develop innovative solutions to local and global challenges, aiming to inspire a new generation of "eco-preneurs". Conceived as a special project of the Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Forum, founded by esteemed figures such as climate activist Rituraj Phukan and Padma Shree Jadav Payeng, the Forest Man of India, Smily Academy garnered...

Bahula Camel Milk launched

In a groundbreaking move towards sustainable agriculture and the preservation of indigenous livestock, Saras Dairy, under the guidance of Joraram Kumawat, Minister of Animal Husbandry, proudly unveils its latest offering: pasteurized camel milk. This initiative, achieved through collaboration with Bahula Food Pvt Ltd and Urmul Seemant Samiti, signifies a pioneering step in the realm of public-private partnerships dedicated to supporting herders and safeguarding the invaluable camel population. Gratitude is extended to all stakeholders, including Mahant Pratap Puri, MLA Pokhran, and Dr. Bhawani Singh Rathore, Animal Husbandry Director, for their indispensable contributions. Recognition is...

Privacy Policy

Assam Times (.org) ("Assam Times", "we", "us", or "our") respects the privacy of our users ("you", "your"). This Privacy Policy describes the types of information we collect from and about you when you visit our website (the "Website") and how we use that information.   Information We Collect We collect two types of information on this Website: Personal Information: This is information that can be used to identify you as an individual, such as your name, email address, and any other information you choose to share in comments, forums, or other interactive features. We only collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us. Non-Personal Information: This...

Shillong Declaration: International Conclave on Water, Hill Lives, and Future Advocates Holistic Approach for Sustainable Development

In a landmark move, participants of the International Conclave on Water, Hill Lives, and Future, convened in Shillong on February 9th and 10th, 2024, have jointly adopted the "Shillong Declaration." This declaration underscores the critical interlinkages between water resources and hill ecosystems, emphasizing a holistic approach towards achieving sustainable development in these regions.   The vital role of water as a critical resource and the need for enhanced resilience around water in hilly terrains, as underscored by the declining water table and spring water levels, waning traditional water systems, retreating, and polluting rivers, changing rainfall patterns, increase...

Maru Manthan 2024: Forum Unites Global Efforts to Preserve Desert Ecosystem

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: Today marks the commencement of the 3rd edition of Maru Manthan, a transformative forum orchestrated by the Desert Resource Centre and Urmul, in collaboration with desert communities. Held on February 9th and 10th, 2024, in the heart of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, Maru Manthan stands as a beacon for celebrating the indomitable spirit of the desert and fostering sustainable solutions amidst its challenges. The forum draws together an illustrious lineup of organizations and individuals dedicated to desert conservation and community empowerment. Representatives from esteemed entities such as the Foundation for Ecological Security, Ministry of Lowlands & Irrigation (...

Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024: Celebrating Northeast India's Cultural Tapestry & Economic Opportunities

The 'Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024', a five-day cultural extravaganza showcasing Northeast India's richness, kicks off on January 13 at Bharat Mandapam. Organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and NEHHDC, the festival aims to display diverse arts, crafts, and cultures, fostering economic opportunities. With 250 participants including weavers, farmers, and entrepreneurs, the event features panel discussions, buyer-seller meets, traditional performances, and a focus on women's roles in regional development. Highlighting the youth's contribution and challenges, the festival aims to explore how they can shape India's economic landscape. Additionally, specialized...