“I welcome the move of the Hon’ble High Court to have the Louis Berger scandal probed by the CBI and the consequent arrival of an investigative team in Guwahati. But it will be a litmus test for the BJP govt. to prove to the public that the CBI is not an obedient handmaiden of the Central govt., because the accusations in the case indict a political figure who was a powerful minister in the erstwhile government as well as being a powerful minister in the present dispensation. The man whom the BJP had described as a “key suspect” in the Louis Berger case is now a senior minister in its own government. Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal talks up a storm about wiping out corruption, but the man against whom there are so many charges is still ensconced in the Cabinet. Precedents and decorum call for the tainted minister’s removal in the interest of a free and fair probe. As things stand now, one is forced to ask: whither, CBI investigation?”

What is Louis Berger scam: US-based firm Louis Berger International Inc has admittedly paid just under $1 million (Rs.64935000.00/-) to bag water projects in Goa and Guwahati. The project was to build and expand water and sewerage facilities. The project was sanctioned in 2007. To fund the project, the Congress Government in Assam took a hefty loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA. Internal audit revealed firm paid bribes in India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Vietnam. Based on the audit report, the US Justice Department prosecuted two former executives of the firm – Richard Hirsch and James McClung, who had served as senior vice president for the firm’s India operations.

Louis Berger Water Project in Guwahati: Guwahati is the largest city in Assam and in the northeastern region of India; its population in 2007 was approximately 1.11 million, which is estimated to increase to 2.80 million (181818000.00) in 2025, and to 3.23 million (209740050.00) in 2040. Guwahati City is divided into four distribution zones for water supply — south central, southwest, southeast and north. The Louis Berger Group, working close with the Guwahati Metropolitan development Authority is preparing detailed design and drawings of water supply facilities, reviewing and finalizing detailed cost estimates, establishing a procurement management system and tender process, supervising and managing its contracts, liaising with JICA and other authorities, and providing financial management.

Assam former Minister under fire: Former Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sharma is under the scanner after Louise Berger International Inc. admitted of paying Rs 6.1 crore for two water projects in Guwahati and Goa. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who earlier unsuccessfully led a rebellion against the Chief Minister, was Guwahati Development Department (GDD) Minister between 2006 and April 2011. The company was awarded the consultancy in 2009-2010 along with Japanese firm Nihon Psuido and Shah Technical Consultants. The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), which is under the GDD, is handling the project. When the US firm confessed that bribe was paid to an “unknown minister”, all eyes turned to the then GMDA Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma.