The CBI, after arresting sacked chairman of the Organising Committee (OC) of the Commonwealth Games, Suresh Kalmadi, has found prima facie evidence of irregularities reportedly committed by the top brass of the committee in finalising eight Games-related contracts.
According to sources, the agency’s probe has also revealed that the OC attracted limited supplier base for certain contracts. Probe by the agency has established that “restrictive pre-qualification” criteria adopted by the OC members was the main cause of low response rate, sources added.
“The probe by the CBI has prima facie found serious indications that there was allegedly a ‘criminal conspiracy’ between the contractors and certain former members of the OC in awarding eight contracts related to overlays, sports equipment and technology, press operations, international TV rights, games management system and sponsorship” sources said.
Sources further said, “Most of the contracts related to overlays, technology and equipment had been awarded at the last minute on the grounds of dealing with a crisis situation. But these situations were created purposely. This also resulted in attracting only a very limited vendors.”
Same was the case with contract for games management system. Only one vendor submitted its bid which was finally awarded the contract, sources said, adding this contract was highly non-competitive. In the case of the Master Games village catering contract, only two vendors submitted their bids, sources said. “The probe has also revealed that the tender bid of certain private companies were not even opened before finalising the contracts related to appointment of the technical consultant, Event Knowledge and Service. The firm was appointed as technical consultant for the Games at `29 crores,” sources said.