National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) ordered an enquiry in a case after some media persons accused its officials of paying bribes to the press at a function in Odisha.
“NHAI has ordered an enquiry into the allegations of bribes to media persons,” said a statement issued by NHAI.
According to sources, NHAI chief general manager LP Padhy will head to Odisha on Sunday as an enquiry officer.
The incident happened in Odisha where Union minister of road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari and Dharmendra Pradhan, minister for petroleum and natural gas, were present.
The function was held to start construction work to widen Angul-Sambalpur, Tileibani-Sambalpur and Balanga-Jharpokharia national highways.
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Media persons were provided kits before they met Gadkari and Pradhan. However, they protested and said that the kits had envelopes containing Rs 500 each. One Ranjan Patra, a local journalist, lodged complaint against NHAI.
“We have received the complaint and we are looking into the matter,” said Brijesh Rai, SP, Angul.
“Anyone found guilty in the enquiry will be punished,” said the statement by NHAI.
Odisha commerce and transport minister Nrushingha Sahu condemned the attempt to bribe media.
The incident comes on heels of another bribery case where some senior NHAI officials have been accused of taking bribe from US based CDM Smith for 'illegally' giving them contracts during 2011-15.
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