May 05, 2007

CBI probing Dow`s disclosure on paying bribes to officials

Press Trust Of India, New Delhi. May 5, 2007

Government has ordered a CBI probe into the US firm Dow Chemicals
disclosure about paying bribes to officials in India for securing
approval for their pesticides.

Replying to queries, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said after Dow
Chemicals in February made the disclosure of paying two lakh dollars
in bribes, a preliminary inquiry was conducted which found that a
senior official of the central insecticide board and state-level
inspectors were paid money.

"Based on the findings of the preliminary enquiry, the ministry has
decided to refer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
for further action," he said during the Question hour in the Rajya
Sabha.

As money could have been paid to several thousand inspectors across
many states, the case has been handed over to the CBI.

Pawar said the three formulations approved by the officer were also
being looked into to ascertain if they meet Indian standards.

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