Loius Berger scam only tip of iceberg, says Parrikar

Panaji, Aug 2

‘Drawings’ was one of the code words officials for bribe in the Louis Berger bribery, investigators have said.

Elaborating the latest developments, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said: "During investigation, a word that came to my attention was 'drawings'. Four drawings … six drawings. ... It is a technical term used in engineering, which is why when you say 'drawings', no one will doubt," he said.

In a related development, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said the case was only a small part of the corruption deals under the Congress rule in the state.

"This (Louis Berger scam) is just the tip of the iceberg. It is time to bring out all the Congress scams in the open," the BJP leader and former Goa CM said addressing party workers on Saturday. He also promised the Central Government’s help in “exposing” these scams.

The state’s crime branch, which has recorded several statements of the US company's local officials, have confirmed that A Wachasunder, who headed JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) water project in Goa, had demanded bribe.

Subsequently, Wachasunder was arrested and is currently in police custody.

Parsekar hinted there was more trouble ahead for the former Goa chief minister and Congress leader Digambar Kamat, under whose regime the scam had occurred in 2009.

“Is Kamat involved in the scam? Wait and watch. Crime branch has lots of proof," he said, without elaborating.

Former PWD minister Churchill Alemao has also been interrogated by the Crime Branch.

Parrikar said that while the law enforcement agencies will do their work, the party should mount pressure on Kamat.

"They will be exposed. I guarantee that I will offer whatever help is needed from the Centre, right from the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax and CBI to expose them," he said. — PTI