Delhi Games end; CAG probe begins

New Delhi, Oct 16: Now that the Games are over, India has kick started a probe into the alleged irregularities and corruption involved in organising the Commonwealth Games 2010.

Just a day after the conclusion of the 12-day sporting event, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) began the investigation. On Friday, Oct 15, the auditing watchdog sent its inspection officials to the CPWD office to check the accounts related to the Games projects.

"We have started with the CPWD office inside the S P Mukherjee Stadium today. Now that the athletes have vacated the venues, we will gradually start sending our inspection officers to all the stadia," a CAG official is quoted as saying.

The Centre appointed the high-level committee headed by the former Comptroller and Auditor-General, VK Shungloo, to look into “all aspects of organising" of the scandal-marred Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Quoting the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), media reports suggest that the committee is expected to submit its report to Dr Manmohan Singh in three months.

The terms of reference of the committee are expected to be announced soon.

Congress under Opposition pressure

Amid demands for a probe into the tainted Delhi Games and its Organising Committee from Opposition parties including the BJP and CPI, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari had assured that government agencies would look into allegations of misappropriation of funds in the preparations for the Games.

"Obviously as public money was spent, there is a natural audit process that kicks in when government money is spent. I expect the government bodies will deliver on their mandate," he said.

To a question if Congress was giving a clean chit to Games Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi, Tewari answered, "If there is any alleged misappropriation in spending of funds, that obviously needs to be probed. That was and is our stand...If there were any allegations of money not properly spent, they (government agencies) will perform responsibility to the country's satisfaction."

PM snubs Kalmadi
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday, Oct 15 sent a harsh message to the tainted Organising Committee by not inviting OC chief Suresh Kalmadi to his residence, where he met and congratulated the CWG 2010 medal winners. However, Sports Minister MS Gill was part of the meeting.