October 18, 2010 8:35 PM

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CAG to complete audit of controversial spending on CW Games in 3 months; Centre extends term of OC officials to help probe

After the Central Vigilance Commissioner widened the ambit of its probe into the alleged financial and administrative irregularities related to the Commonwealth Games, the Comptroller and Auditor General, CAG says, it will submit its audit report to the government in three months. Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai told AIR that delay in the probe will erode its credibility. He asserted that the audit will cover all aspects and all institutions involved in the delivery of the games. The CAG said that the government auditors will probe 24 departments, 15 of them belong to Delhi government and four to the organising committee. He said, about 100 CAG staffers are involved in the probe which are looking into the working and purchaseof agencies related to CWG.In a related move, the central vigilance commission has brought purchase of medical equipment and selection of tainted project officers for the sporting event under its scanner. The CVC is probing at least 22 more Games-related construction and procurement works carried out by different government agencies here for allegedfinancial irregularities. A senior CVC official said that based on their replies, the CVC will give its findings or final report to a committee formed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh headed by former CAG V K Shunglu.Meanwhile, Delhi Government has asked all its departments to keep relevant documents ready and fully cooperate with investigators. Government has decided to extend the tenure of the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games till further orders. The move comes in the wake of the setting up of a high-level committee to look into the matters relating to organising and conduct of the mega event. Speaking after the meeting of the GoM on Commonwealth Games in New Delhi today, Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy said that senior officials made available to the Organising Committee by the centre, will be allowed to continue till further orders. He said, it is for the Sports Ministry to decide on winding up the Organising Committee. The GoM was attended by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and CWG Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi, besides SportsMinister M S Gill.Replying to a volley of questions, Reddy insisted that the GoM did not discuss allegations of corruption. He however, welcomed the decision on the setting up of a probe panel by the Prime Minister. He said the GoM expressed satisfaction over the successful conduct of the CWG. Meanwhile, reiterating its stand on the issue of alleged corruption in the Commonwealth Games related projects, the Congress today said that the Prime Minster has already appointed a committee headed by a former Comptroller and Auditor General, V.K Shunglu to probe the matter. Briefing reporters, the Party spokesman Mr Manish Tiwary said that the Congress will like every body to maintain restraint so that that the committee can discharge its mandate to the satisfaction ofthe nation. Bharatiya Janata Party demanded setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe into reports of corruption in Commonwealth Games projects. Party spokesperson Tarun Vijay said that the spat between Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and CWG Organising Committee Chief Suresh Kalmadi that has come out in the open only reinforces the public opinion that the main aim of the organisers was to grab money.

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