Opposition for JPC probe on Games
The Shiv Sena on Monday demanded probe by a Joint Parliamentary Party (JPC) into the alleged financial irregularities in the preparation of the Commonwealth Games.
Party MP Sanjay Raut drew Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s attention in this regard through a letter.
“Commonweath Games is one of the prestigious and important games in international arena. Such allegation of corruption for the preparation of CWG, especially from the CVC, is very depressing. Seeing the seriousness of the concerns of the CWC in the issue as also public demand, it will be in the fitness of things if you could kindly agree to refer the matter for consideration and through investigation by a JPC,” Mr Raut said.
Mr Raut, the sitting Rajya Sabha member, also raised the issue or alleged rampant corruption in the CWG in the House during the Zero Hour. He demanded action against the culprits through the investigation by the CBI.
He cited the CVC report which had found serious discrepancies in awarding contracts for construction works for the Games. Associating with the issue raised by the Shiv Sena MP, some Opposition members also sought a thorough probe into the findings of the CVC. “It is a very serious issue. Nobody seems to be responsible. Corruption (charges) should be investigated thoroughly as the Commonwealth Games are a matter of national pride,” he said. The Shiv Sena member was supported by BJP members who demanded a separate discussion on the issue.
Meanwhile, the main Opposition BJP has asked for a discussion on this issue in the Lok Sabha under Rule 193.
Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said, “The country as a whole as well as my party would certainly like to know what is the truth of the matter...Complete truth should come out by investigation and if any wrong-doing has been done, the perpetrators and the guilty should be punished. At this point, it is only allegation,” she said at the AICC briefing.
The party spokesperson at the same time maintained that it is extremely important to make the Commonwealth Games a great success as it “showcases India”.
Ms Natarajan said that the party is sure that the government would look into the matter.
The CVC has found serious discrepancies like award of works at higher rates to bidders, poor quality of construction and grant of work to ineligible agencies in different Games-related construction works being carried out by various departments in the capital.
As per the assessment report prepared by the CVC’s Chief Technical Examination Wing, large-scale procedural violations, including corruption, have been noticed in 14 projects.
During the day, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, MP, said his recent outburst against the Commonwealth Games has opened up “a can of worms” which was evident from the alleged corruption charges that has rocked the October 3-14 sporting extravaganza to be held here.
“I have opened a can of worms. I have opened a pandora’s box. Now it’s for the media and others concerned to follow-up,” the 69-year-old politician said of the alleged financial irregularities in various CWG related projects.
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