The report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India – CAG – on Common Wealth Games was tabled in the the Lok Sabha today. It leveled allegations against Delhi Chief Minister for irregularities and overspending in the games.The report says Delhi government committed lapses and irregularities in the bidding process for procurement of different Games-related items and pointed out several instances of wasteful expenditure. The report also blames several ministries and various agencies including the DDA, MCD, NDMC and PWD for the entire mess. The CAG observed several instances of wasteful expenditure by the Delhi government and civic agencies amounting to the tune of over 100 crores rupees over streets-capping and an excess expenditure of over 31 crores on street lighting by MCD, NDMC and PWD. The 743-page CAG report mentions how Spage Age – one of the disqualified firms bidding for street lighting – was later declared qualified irregularly after the firm appealed to the Chief Minister. Addressing the media, Deputy CAG Rekha Gupta said contract management ahead of the October 2010 Games was highly irregular and there were numerous instances of single tendering, with contracts awarded to negligible vendors. She said that the Organising Committee made highly dubious payments and accused it of enormous bungling.The report, also points a finger of suspicion at Organizing Committee of the Games headed by Suresh Kalmadi, now in jail. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has also been named for appointing Kalmadi the Committee's chief despite objections from the late Sunil Dutt, who was then Sports Minister. It alleged that Kalmadi had favoured many companies.
News On AIR | August 5, 2011 5:45 PM
‘CAG's report on Commonwealth Games tabled in Parliament