New Delhi: With the World Bank reportedly
listing questionable practices in highway projects in UP and
Bihar funded by it, Road Transport Minister CP Joshi on Tuesday
said government has no connection "with corruption" and has
asked for facts from the NHAI.
"Don't put the government in the dock, it has no
connection with corruption...World Bank gets projects funded
by it investigated independently," Joshi told reporters here.
Joshi said he has come to know only today about a letter
to his ministry from the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA)
enclosing World Bank findings.
These are "with regard to two contractors -- Progressive
Construction (PCL) and PCL-MVR JV ", he said, adding that the
letter from DEA was received a few days back in the ministry
and has been sent to NHAI "for ascertaining facts."
Joshi further said that he will take "appropriate action
very shortly" on the report that relates to the period
2005-2008.
The matter pertains to World Bank findings with regard to
the two said contractors in Lucknow-Muzaffarpur National
Highway Project, Grand Trunk Road Improvement Project and the
Third National Highway Project, he said.
He, however, refused to divulge further details saying,
"The World Bank has strict confidentiality requirements...I am
not aware of this report, I read it in paper".
"Ministry will take action...I want to assure you all
that we will not hide facts," he said.
A World Bank official here said that the bank's
Institutional Integrity Unit has given a report to the
government. However, he did not give details.
Sources said World Bank has provided USD 620 million for
Lucknow-Muzaffarpur Highway which is scheduled to complete in
June 2012 while the other two projects have been completed.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, April 03, 2012, 17:31