PC ticks off Kalmadi for CWG delays

In a veiled reference to the unfinished works at the Commonwealth Games venues, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said the fact that some of the works to be done by other agencies had not been done had put an “extra burden” upon the security system.
“I am satisfied with the security arrangements we have put in place but not yet satisfied whether what others had to do has been done. Therefore it puts an extra burden upon the security system. We are trying to sort out those issues by today,” he said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi met Chidambaram on Wednesday evening. According to the sources, Kalmadi was pulled up by the Home Minister for the delays in handing over the Games venues to the security agencies. He was also told off with regard to the prevailing confusion over the issuing of accreditation cards and vehicle passes.

When asked to elaborate his remarks, Chidambaram said, “What is the point of elaborating? All of you know what has been done and has not been done. All I can say at this time is... keep your chin up and try to do the best so that fullproof security is provided. I can assure you that notwithstanding the difficulties, we will provide fullproof security at the Games venues and the Village.”

On whether there are any “credible threat” to the Games, the Home Minister said, “Credible and not credible are judgments. There have been statements which have come to our notice. But we take every piece of information seriously and have put counter measures in place. It would be wrong to say that there is credible threat.”

Chidambaram said that he had visited three Games venues — Siri Fort auditorium, Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex and Talkatora stadium. Asked whether he was satisfied with the security arrangments, he said, “I am never satisfied. Things can always be better.”