CGF seeking explaination from IOA regarding financial irregularities

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) CEO Mike Hooper has written a letter to the organising committee, led by Suresh Kalmadi, to explain the alleged financial irregularities regarding Commonwealth Games detected by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

The letter came in the wake of the CVC sending a compilation of its inquiries into the Games affairs to the CGF. The CGF has sought the details following reports of alleged irregularities. Following the letter, the OC vice-chairman Randhir Singh has called an emergency meeting.

“We are concerned about the implication of the CVC report indeed. We have written to the OC following the release of the report,” stated CGF president in an email recently sent to various Delhi based media organisations. Mr Hooper added in the mail, “we basically need assurances, from the venue owners which are essentially the government agencies that all venues are fully compliant with Government of India laws.”

Mr Hooper today also stated, “clearly they (OC) are considering the allegations. They should and these investigations should happen. If any wrongdoing is intimated then proper action should be taken. Ultimately it is very important.”

The CGF officials, taking note of CVC’s commission’s report on rampant corruption, have also asked the OC in the letter to ensure that all the venues for the October 3-14 mega-event obtain quality assurance certificates.

Meanwhile, the IOA Secretary General Randhir Singh called for an emergency meeting of the Organising Committee’s Executive Board, saying the allegations were “grave”.

“In pursuance to media reports about financial irregularities, since the situation is grave, the discussion should be held immediately,” stated Mr Randhir.

The OC officials have stated that the General secretary’s demands have been accepted and an executive meeting to discuss the issue on August 5.

The executive meeting will also have discussions on the major scam that hit the CWG OC on Friday when it came to light that a little-known UK firm, AM films was paid lakhs of pounds for its “services” during the London leg of the Queen’s Baton relay. The senior OC officials have admitted that there was no contract under which payments were made to the company which was roped in “at the last minute”.

Corruption charges hit 2010 Commonwealth Games

Fresh corruption charges rocked the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010. The UPA Government at the Centre and Sheila Dikshit-led Delhi government are in trouble, as the CVC recommended CBI probe into the alleged irregularities.

The Opposition parties have raised a hue and cry over the issue and also demanded a judicial probe into the CVC report, indicating corruption in constructions in the CWG stadiums. The BJP estimated that the scam would be to the tone of Rs 30,000 crore.

The agencies under the CVC scanner are PWD, MCD, DDA, CPWD and RITES. In another development, a fresh case of money laundering involving a UK firm came into light.

According to a news channel expose, funds worth £2,47,469 were transferred in October, 2009 from the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games to a UK-based company AM Films UK Ltd. Suresh Kalmadi, who heads the committee, hasn't yet reacted to the report.

The money was reportedly transferred during the Queen's Baton Relay function in London. In addition to that money, 25,000 pounds are being transferred into AM Flims account every month. In total, about 4,50,000 pounds have been transferred to UK so far.

The Congress Party reacted to the latest development, saying a probe will be conducted, if necessary and the guilty will be punished. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has asked Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar to review the status of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) projects.