Thaindian News

New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) Sports minister Ajay Maken said Thursday that his predecessors had raised several issues related to the preparations of the Commonwealth Games, including “lack of accountable mechanism” in the Suresh Kalmadi-led organising committee for spending government money.

Maken, while replying to a query in the Raja Sabha, said that former sports ministers had written on issues ranging from cheaper alternatives for conducting the Games to the need for supporting rural sports.

“The union ministers had written on issues ranging from cheaper alternatives for conducting the Games, the need for supporting rural sports, the difference between initial cost projections and revised estimates of the organising committee, and lack of accountable mechanism in organising committee for spending government money and also made suggestions regarding the organisational structure of the organising committee,” said Maken.

Maken said there was lack of cooperation from the organising committee.

Kalmadi, who was the chairman of the organising committee, and secretary-general Lalit Bhanot are behind bars on charges of financial irregularities in the Commonwealth Games.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) indicted the Prime Minister’s Office and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s government for deep flaws and financial losses in the conduct of the Commonwealth Games.

The CAG also blamed Kalmadi virtually for every contract for equipment, sponsorship, broadcast rights and catering, which were given at over-inflated rates.