Commonwealth Games to generate big profits: Govt

The 2010 Commonwealth Games will generate Rs 1708 crore, which is Rs 88 crore more than the government has budgeted for the conduct of the multi-discipline event. Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Pratik Prakashbapu Patil said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the government has enhanced the budget for the October 3-14 Games from Rs 767 crore to Rs 1620 crore.

“The Organising Committee has estimated that it would generate revenue of around Rs 1708 crore from international/domestic broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing, licensed merchandise, donations etc,” the Minister told in his reply to a written question.

Explaining the decision to raise the allocation, Patil said, the additional funds are likely to be spent by the Organising Committee on accreditation, city operations, sponsorships and TV rights, security, accommodation, catering, opening and closing ceremonies, protocol and Queens Baton Relay. In reply to another question, the Minister said out of Rs 1620 crore, the government has already released Rs 591.50 crore to the Organising Committee.

Integrated security at venues
An Integrated Security System (ISS) costing Rs 370 crore will be installed at all the competition and training venues of Commonwealth Games, it was announced on Tuesday. “The Government has approved the installation of an ISS for all the competition, training and non-competition venues for the Commonwealth Games next year,” Minister of State for Home Affairs Mullapally Ramachandran said.

The project will be executed through ECIL at a cost of Rs 370 crore which includes a provision of Rs 30 crore for “bandwidth”, he informed the Lok Sabha. An international security liason group has also been constituted by Home Ministry with representatives from various Central security agencies, Delhi Police, Defence Ministry and External Affairs Ministry.