Commonwealth Games or Collect Wealth Games

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Rajiv Azad

04 August, 2010

As the D day is nearing, corruption is also unfolding in many sectors, trapping many senior government officers and functionaries. Given the present situation, the coming games can be rightly called as Collect Wealth Games.

THE SYNDROME of corruption looms large on the much hyped and publicised Commonwealth Games. These games might have been a prestige for countries like New Zealand and Australia. However in India, these games have opened a pandora box of corruption, where contractors, suppliers, officers and ministers are filling their coffer.

Team Kalmadi (Suresh Kalmadi is the chairman of the Games organising committee) is being rocked by allegations after allegation of corruption. The latest charge is related to the staging of Queen’s Baton Relay organised last year on October 29 in London. Rules were flouted in awarding the contract to AM Films and its subsidiary AM Cars that assisted in organising Queen’s Baton Relay in London. The group received a whopping 200000 British Pound for its services.

Responding to the allegations of corruption, Suresh Kalmadi has defended his committee’s decision to award contract to AM Films and its sister concern AM Cars, saying the committee was short of time. The alleged company supplied cars, ambulances, video screens, logistic support at a cost that would shame even the mighty Harrods.

Addressing a media conference in New Delhi, Suresh Kalmadi said that a three member committee has been set up to look into the irregularities and ascertain truth. On selecting the alleged firm, Kalmadi said it was recommended by the office of the Indian High Commissioner, London. Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry has denied the comment made by Kalmadi. An official from the Ministry said they have only sent a list of rates charged by different vendors for the services required for staging the Queen’s Baton Relay Event in London.

Setting up commissions and inquiries in India has been a routine affair. They hardly serve any purpose but only save the powerful and influential.

As the D day is nearing, corruption is also unfolding in many sectors, trapping many senior government officers and ministers. Given the present situation, these games can be rightly called as Collect Wealth Games. Whosoever is involved in the staging of the game, it is believed is making massive money. Doubts have been raised over the quality of the material used, contractors’ capability, suppliers’ authenticity and all.