Goel to CVC: Order inquiry in delays of CWG projects

A delegation, led by former Union Minister Vijay Goel today met Central Vigilance Commissioner Pratush Sinha and demanded that a thorough inquest be order as to why the preparations for Games 2010 were delayed till 2008 even though the Games were allocated to India
in 2004. Both the Organising Committee and the Delhi Government which were making the preparations sat upon the matter up to a limit where the nation's prestige had been hurt, the delegation asserted in a letter submitted to the CVC.

The delay had led to heavy monetary losses to the nation due to cost escalations and the short time left was being misused to cover up the work orders now being given to favoured companies without going through the proper process of tendering, Mr Goel alleged.

The letter submitted to CVC specially cited the matter of the recent Republic Day tableau with the Commonwealth Games theme. The Central Vigilance Commissioner in turn has ordered an immediate inquiry into the matter of excessive expenditure on the Republic Day 2010 tableau.

It had been found that Commonwealth Games Organising Committee tendered for the Tableau work for Republic Day 2010 Parade in which Aukan Enterprises, NOIDA was the successful bidder and even a work letter was issued to that Company but later the same work was allocated to a totally new company for a reported amount of Rs 1 crore. Aukan Enterprises was never told that its work order has been withdrawn. Republic Day Parade guidelines clearly specified that tableau work would be given to companies having at least three years Republic Day Parade experience whereas the company which made the tableau this year with the Commonwealth Games theme had no experience.

It had come out that the tableau in this year's Republic Day Parade with Commonwealth Games theme was of the Sports Ministry but the tendering was done by the CWG Organising Committee which by itself violates the norms. The CVC assured Mr Goel that the Republic Day Parade tableau inquiry would be conducted by the senior most Technical Officer concerned at CVC and would submit the report within three months. As for the other matter raised by Mr Goel, the CVC assured him that the Commission would examine the matter and appropriate action would be initiated as per law.