Let the Games begin

UPA's electoral triumph has cleared the decks for Sheila Dikshit to shift her focus to the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which even a CAG audit, now, says are behind schedule

UPA's electoral triumph has cleared the decks for Sheila Dikshit to shift her focus tou00a0 the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which even a CAG audit, now, says are behind schedule. The Delhi government claims that 40 per cent of all the projects related to the games will be completed by August.

Although that remains to be seen, the Games coordination committee is now equally concerned about communication, security, transport and other issues and lack of coordination between the different agencies handling the various projects.

Dikshit has, of late, been pushing for government control over the MCD, DDA and other bodies, but that is yet to happen. But with a revitalised UPA back in power, unencumbered by the pulls and pressures of alliance politics, Dikshit may be hoping for a more considerate hearing of her case in the new dispensation. The stakes are getting higher and the countdown has begun. Dikshit just needs to focus on the last mile.

Losing its shine
Even as global investors continue to bet on gold, India, the yellow metal's biggest market, saw demand plummet by a staggering 83 per cent in the last quarter. Interestingly, this low demand pushed local gold prices below international prices, giving an opportunity for desi wholesalers to turn exporters. Again, a first for India.

No doubt, the slowdown of the economy and high prices (a record Rs 16,040 per tola in February) contributed to the slump in demand for gold jewellery.u00a0 Still, as the dollar weakens and inflation rises, prospects for investors investing in Indian gold will become brighter. But all seem to agree that it has been a rather unusualu00a0 season for gold so far. Maybe the good monsoon season or a grand marriage season will pull gold into the feel-good mode. And hopefully Pranab Da's budget will do its bit to ensure that
the The Indian economy does not lose more lustre, now that a new finance mantri is in
the saddle.

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