Panaji (Goa): Goa government has asked State Chief secretary  Dharmendra Sharma to initiate inquiry into the allegations of bribery leveled by officials of US-based CDM Smith company.

“The Public Works Department has handed over all the files pertaining to the communication between them and the company to Chief Secretary last evening,” State PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar told reporters today in Vasco town on the sidelines of the meeting held to canvass for NDA’s Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind.

He said the chief secretary will submit the inquiry report to State Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who will take the decision whether to hand over the matter to vigilance or not.

Minutes before Dhavalikar told reporters about the inquiry report, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that any state related issue related to bribery as alleged in US based CDM Smith company should be handled by local government.

“I have ordered for inquiry. The NHAI is conducting inquiry into all the aspects. I can conduct inquiry about my own department. About the state specific allegations the inquiry will be conducted by the state government,” Gadkari said.

Meanwhile, Dhavalikar said that PWD has compiled all the communication between the State and the company.

“We had given them the contract to do master plan for sewerage system in Goa. After we read the news, I had asked the public works department to submit the entire file to me within ten days. I have received the file which is handed over to chief secretary of Goa as he is a PWD secretary,” the state minister said.

Dhavalikar said that the information which is submitted to the CS includes all the documents including opening of tender and other details.

The minister said State government has terminated the work of CD Smith company, the report about which is also attached in the file.

Team TNV