Louis Berger case: Assam CM ready for any probe

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday said he was ready for any inquiry into his role in the Louis Berger kickbacks scam.

In a statement, he dared union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal to find out from the home ministry who received kickbacks from the Louis Berger company in the Guwahati water supply project.

Reacting to reports appearing in a section of the media which cited Sonowal as alleging Gogoi's involvement in the Louis Berger kickbacks scam, Gogoi said he was open to any inquiry.

"I will resign if my involvement is proved right and Sonowal should resign if his allegations are proved baseless," he stated.

Former Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was holding the Guwahati development department portfolio when Louis Berger was selected as consultant for the Guwahati water supply project, being implemented by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority with funds received from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The scam came to the fore after the US Department of Justice found Louis Berger guilty of paying bribes to Indian officials, including ministers, for water supply projects in Goa and Guwahati.