New Delhi, Aug. 14: The Government of India has finally acted. With rampant mismanagement and financial irregularities in the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee emerging by the hour, OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi finds his wings clipped. A Committee of Secretaries was handed overriding powers by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday, to supervise preparations for the October 3 to 14 Games.
With less than 50 days remaining for the event, concerns have been rising with construction work still pending at most of the competition venues and the OC deluged by controversies. After a 90-minute long meeting, the Prime Minister empowered a Group of Ministers, headed by urban development minister S. Jaipal Reddy to take ‘all decisions necessary’ for its smooth conduct.
Singh directed that thorough investigations should be held by the ministries concerned into complaints of ‘procedural and other irregularities’ and ’those found guilty should face severe and exemplary punishment.’
“The Committee of Secretaries, headed by the cabinet secretary, will continue to review implementation and it will have the status of an Empowered Committee. It will have jurisdiction over matters relating to the OC,” said a PMO statement after the meeting.
Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell had proposed a monitoring panel — the Technical Review Committee — last year to keep on eye on OC’s preparations for the Games. But after the vehement opposition by Kalmadi & Co the proposal was scrapped.
Now in the last leg of the preparations, the OC has no choice but to accept the overview panel. Apart from Reddy, sports minister M.S. Gill, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit and Kalmadi will be present for the GoM meeting on Sunday.
“All the facilities must meet international standards. The PM underlined and expressed confidence that the ongoing preparations supervised directly the GoM would enable the Games to be conducted smoothly,” the PMO statement said.
Meanwhile, Oscar-winning music director A.R. Rahman will make a presentation of his theme song for the CWG at the GoM meeting on Sunday. Sources said the idea was to ensure that the song becomes a sensation like his own Jai Ho.