New Delhi, May 4 (PTI): The Government has ordered a CBI probe into 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 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 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.

"If the enquiry establishes malpractices, action will be taken against the company also," he said.

Dow Chemicals had on February 13 make a disclosure to the US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) of having bribed government officials in India some years ago for securing registration/approval of their products.