Panaji: The defense ministry projects are probed by central government auditors but not a single inquiry is conducted into garbage management projects, Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Friday.

"Garbage is big business. No one wants to check where the money spent on garbage goes, not even the Comptroller and Auditor General. If you do not know, I will tell you…

"They inspect our defense projects, but there is not a single report by the CAG on garbage projects because no accountant will hold his nose and go to Sonsodo and Patto (both garbage treatment sites in Goa)," he said while hinting at the large-scale mismanagement in such projects.

Parrikar, a former Goa chief minister, was speaking at a function chaired by Nitin Gadkari, union minister for road transport, national highways and shipping, who launched infrastructure projects worth Rs.3,500 crore here.

The minister said garbage could not be wished away, adding the issue had to be tackled if the aims of 'Swachh Bharat' were to be achieved. (IANS)