CWG: Sports Minister complains of lack of power

Sports and Youth Affairs Minister M S Gill today complained of the lack of power in the hand of his Ministry in organising the Commonwealth Games, but still sought to assure the nation that all work relating to the Games would be finished next month.

Replying to a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the delay in the preparations for the Commonwealth Games, he admitted that there had been delay in constructing the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium and other stadia and related infrastructure
but said the venues were now ready and delay would not affect the performance of the players.

Dr Gill sought to underline that when the Asian Games were held in Delhi in 1982 there was unity of command with Rajiv Gandhi at the top, but today things were very different.

He said that as per the agreement signed with the Commonwealth Games Federation, all powers vested in the Organising Committee of the Indian
Olympic Association, while the Government had only been entrusted with the obligation of bearing all the expenditure on infrastructure and meet all the deficits at the end of the Games.

The profit, if any, is to be shared by the Organising Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation, he said.

The Minister asserted that despite all odds, the stadia constructed were all very good and work on all other constructions was going on a very fast pace.

At this juncture, the Minister was interrupted by JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav and others who wanted him to come straight to replying the concerns of the Members regarding the charges of massive corruption in the works of the Games.

Dr Gill said he would reply to all their queries, but for that Members had to listen to him with patience.