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.
In a resolute display of solidarity and resilience, over 5,000 women hailing from the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar-Mizo communities congregated at Peace Ground, Tuibuong, Lamka, Churachandpur in Manipur, kickstarting the annual 16 Days Activism on Violence Against Women. Orchestrated by the Women of Lamka, the event was a fervent call for justice and a poignant outcry against the distressing instances of gender-based violence (GBV) that have plagued the state.
Led by the indomitable Ngaineikim from Kuki Women organization for human rights, the program's inauguration was a tapestry of impassioned speeches, stirring presentations, and solemn moments dedicated to the victims. Distinguished figures such...
Add new comment