News

Commonwealth Games rocked by corruption

August 01, 2010 Edition 1

NEW DELHI: Indian officials have found evidence of corruption in construction projects and illegal cash transfers for Delhi upcoming Commonwealth Games, news reports said yesterday.

Allegations of widespread corruption in connection with India's biggest sporting event in recent times - due in October this year - were reported on local TV news and various dailies.

Officials of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), India's government watchdog agency told the Times of India that construction quality certificates scrutinised in 16 Games-related projects had turned out to be "fake or suspect".

"It is a disturbing discovery. Fake certificates were routinely issued to pass substandard work and material," a CVC official told the newspaper.

"We have not yet been able to gauge the financial implications but it is certain to have led to very big gains for vendors and contractors," he said.

The event, to be held from October 3-14 and involving 71 nations, is the most expensive Commonwealth Games in history, with a budget of $2 billion.

Meanwhile, another corruption scandal about money being transferred from the Commonwealth Games account to a little-known film company based in London was reported by the Times Now newschannel yesterday.

Senior Indian diplomats in the mission in London had written to the Indian sports ministry regarding the allegations of corruption about cash transfers of $388 142 to the AM Films company.

Responding to the slew of corruption allegations, India's sports minister MS Gill said investigations were on and action would be taken against those found guilty.

"Yes, that is our duty... the basic duty. Me and the officers are working together," Gill said, adding that his focus was to ensure a successful Games. - Sapa-dpa