CWG scam: CBI digs deeper into mess

Agency to probe further and register new cases against OC members and officials

CWG scam: CBI digs deeper into mess

Agency to probe further and register new cases against OC members and officials

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is all set to register fresh cases against some members and officials of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee in connection with alleged misappropriation of funds in renovation of stadiums even as it plans to summon its Chairman Suresh Kalmadi again for questioning soon.

At what cost: CPWD also renovated the Thyagraj Stadium prior to the
Commonwealth Games. File pic

Sources in the CBI said that there were allegations about financial irregularities in the works related to some stadiums and cases could be registered against certain officials of OC and Central Public Works Department. The sources said that while minor complaints of misappropriation of funds would be handed over to the central vigilance officers of the concerned department, the CBI would take only those cases where alleged misappropriation ran into several crores.

In a related development, the CBI will question Kalmadi again. He was earlier questioned on January 5. A senior official of the agency, which was examining complaints forwarded by the Central Vigilance Commission, said in some of the cases decisions were taken at the last moment only apparently to help some contractors to charge more.

According to CPDW documents, the cost of construction of five Commonwealth Games venues by the Department had escalated by over Rs 1,110 crore. The CPWD had renovated Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Indira Gandhi stadium, Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool complex, Major Dhyanchand National Stadium and Dr Karni Singh shooting range for the CWG held here between October 3 and 14, 2010.

"A consolidated sum of Rs 1,000 crore (plus or minus 10 per cent) was sanctioned for these stadiums initially. No stadium-wise cost was approved. Later, revised sanction for Rs 2,460 crore was accorded by the Cabinet," the CPWD documents said. The PWD spent Rs 396.06 crore in construction of Thyagraj Sports Complex, Chhatrasal Stadium and Ludlow Castle Wrestling Training Venues.

The issue has gathered steam among political parties with CPI(M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury, who headed the Parliamentary Standing Committee which submitted a report on the preparedness for the Commonwealth Games in 2009, expressing concern over the escalated costs. He had said that for the Indira Gandhi Stadium, the amount stood at Rs 669 crore, for the shooting range at Rs 149 crore and a whopping Rs 961 crore for Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.u00a0

The CBI has till now registered four FIRs naming some of the close aides of OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi, including Sanjay Mahendroo, for alleged criminal conspiracy and financial irregularities in executing certain contracts.

Rs 961 crore
Cost of renovating Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Rs 669 crore
Cost of renovating Indira Gandhi Stadium
Rs 149 crore
Cost of setting up the shooting range