CWG mess: Gill falls back on God, evokes nationalism

The government on Thursday came under attack from the Opposition and friendly quarters over the mounting allegations of corruption and delays in the preparations for the Commonwealth Games.

Sports minister MS Gill, who defended the government, tried a folksy track, comparing the game with an Indian wedding. “The bridegroom’s party is at the doorstep, we should go and welcome it, bring the party home.” The sports minister told members that all venues would be ready by the end of August.

However, the sports minister’s efforts to allay apprehensions proved to be in vain. Cornered, the government turned to God and nationalism as an answer to the issues of delays and alleged corrupt deals. “Have faith in India. India will get there....God is with us,” Mr Gill said as member after member questioned readiness to host the Games. The Commonwealth Games begin on October 3, and instead of ready-to-use stadia, city infrastructure in place, the country is regaled with a daily litany of alleged corruption, financial mismanagement and incomplete infrastructure. CPM’s Brinda Karat said the CWG had turned into a “game of corruption” and it was not “justifiable to give license to corruption for two more months in the name of conducting the CWG”.

As regards preparedness, the sports minister was unwilling to accept that the situation was as dire as it was being made out to be. “Most of the venues have already hosted test events without glitches. I have had a look at the stadiums, they are ready. Just the finishing work remains to be done,” Mr Gill said.

Members of Parliament were far from convinced. Former sports minister and senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar reiterated his demand for an oversight committee, akin to the one set up prior to the 1982 Asiad Games. A demand that found favour among member of the Opposition.

Mr Aiyar said that in 2005, the group of ministers had decided to establish a high-level apex committee to ensure full coordination between approximately, 30 agencies that are involved in the delivery of the Commonwealth Games. A suggestion that “bitterly opposed” by the agencies. “I plead that in view of the patent failure of the group of ministers to deliver an untainted and effective Games, could a high-level apex committee on the same lines as the special organising committee, which delivered the Asian Games in 1982, be constituted with none other than today’s Sardar, Dr M S Gill just like Sardar Buta Singh, to chair that committee? And if, as in 1982, backbenchers’ assistance is required, there are many backbenchers here who are willing to serve under Dr M S Gill,” Mr Aiyar said.

The idea was rejected by Mr Gill. “Mr Aiyar has vast international experience but I also have my administrative judgement. If more committees could solve the problem of the country, we could have 10 more, but that is not a solution,” he said.

The government made it clear that it was unwilling to divest Suresh Kalmadi of his charge as the chairman of the organising committee of the Games. Arguing that it was too late in the day to “change horses”. Clearly pushed to a corner the sports minister chose to hit back at his predecessor. “For the first five years no work was done. In later years work has been done. We have completed the work. I am saying that in some cases there is some rubble lying around. Even if you build your house in six months, your wife has to keep calling people to get things in tip top condition. From now on SAI officials will sit night and day and see that things are in tip top condition,” the minister assured.

Corruption was another cause of concern. Regarding alleged corruption in CWG, Mr Gill said his ministry had written to various ministries, including the external affairs and finance ministries, to take action on persons found guilty of misappropriating funds.