Chairman of the Organising Committee, Suresh Kalmadi, still has no answers to questions over the alleged bungling by his aides in the organising committee.

Charges and defence

Chairman of the Organising Committee, Suresh Kalmadi, still has no answers to questions over the alleged bungling by his aides in theu00a0 organisingu00a0 committee.

'TORCHBEARER' AID

To begin with, it is unclear why Kalmadi's close aide TS Darbari was included in the organising of the Queen's baton relay, especially when the Sports Ministry had opposed it in the first place.

Kalmadi had, however, defied this, saying nothing had been found against Darbari.

Kalmadi has said he cannot be made to own up for others' mistakes

YES, YOUR MAJESTY

There were allegations of the contract for a function held at the Buckingham Palace was given to a little-known firm. It was alleged that the tender process had been deliberately delayed to favour certain people.

Last Saturday, Kalmadi produced an email, saying the firm had been recommended by the Indian High Commission.

The Indian High Commission refuted this charge. Subsequently, the Ministry of External Affairs termed
the contents of the email as fake.

MISSION COMMISSION?

Another deal in which he is finding it tough to come clean is the one with Australian firm SMAM which was to provide sponsors in exchange for a commission of 23 per cent of the amount.u00a0

Now, Kalmadi has said that the firm will not get any commission.

However, the question that arises is why, in the first place, such a contract had been signed.

(It's an altogether different matter that the firm failed to get a single sponsor).

THEY SIN, I PAY?

The organising committee has been accused of striking some dubious deals as regards purchase of treadmills and other items. As the committee chief, Kalmadi should have at least kept an eye on these things.

Kalmadi has reckoned that he could not be expected to own up for others' mistakes. "I have 2,000 people working under me. I don't see all the papers.

Matters go to the Executive Board where four government officers sit. Every paisa is passed by such committees," he said on TV.

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