I am still the boss, will not quit : Kalmadi on CWG

Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Friday made it clear that he would not quit despite the charges of corruption levelled against him with regard to the upcoming mega event, asserting that he was still the boss.

Kalmadi said he has taken up the challenge of delivering a very good 2010 Games, and that there was no question of him resigning as he had done nothing wrong.

"Yes. Organising the Games is my responsibility. I am continuing with it," said Kalmadi, when asked whether he was still the boss after the Government set up an empowered committee of bureaucrats to look into the functioning of the 2010 Games.

"Group of Ministers was there. The committee of secretaries under Cabinet Secretary was always there. The Prime Minister had a meeting and he has asked all these committees to get more active and give more support. I am getting more support from government and I am the OC chairman," he added.

Kalmadi further said Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennel, who had come to India for a two-day inspection of the venues has given a good report.

" I welcome all this because of the circumstances. Things are under control and we are capable of delivering a 'good and transparent Games. I don't know why all these campaigns started. Everything was smooth till the last 15 days or so. All the foreign countries are saying there will be a good Games," said Kalmadi.

"Our reputation is at stake and after all these years of hard work I don't want to go down in this manner. I am ready to face any inquiry after the Games. The Prime Minister has supported us to a great extent. We are focused now. Next one month I will be fully focused and I am not distracted," he added.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games, which kicks off on October 3 is India's biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games.

India is expecting about two million tourists in New Delhi for the Games, as well as about 10,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states.

Hungama Digital Media redesigns CWG 2010 website

Hungama Digital Media has launched the redesigned website for the 19th edition of the Commonwealth Games (XIX CWG 2010). The website http://www.cwgdelhi2010.org  is website that contains all the information for the forthcoming world event. Hungama will be designing and executing a digital campaign for the event and manage their digital presence through social networking sites.

The Commonwealth Games 2010 will witness participation from 71 countries across the world. Through the new website. the participating nations and spectators have got a single interaction point. The website has been redesigned with effective navigation points so that visitors can find what they are looking for as easily as possible.

Commenting on the revamp, an official spokesperson of Hungama Digital Media said, “We are delighted to partner with the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 which is a very prestigious event for India. Considering the large number of countries participating in the event, we are expecting people to have a variety of queries ranging from venue details, ticket bookings, code of conduct etc. To highlight and facilitate key information in the most effective and seamless manner, we have revamped the website and have also launched an extensive social media program for the XIX CWG 2010”

The new website was launched on the 19th of August 2010. According to Google Analytics report the traffic on the website has gone up by almost 30% from the time Hungama took charge.

BSES to promote electric scooters to reduce pollution

In a unique initiative aimed at reducing air as well as noise pollution, the BSES is promoting use of electric scooters.

After becoming the first and the only discom in the world to promote the use of electric vehicles by installing 28 (and counting) charge ports free till the Commonwealth Games- the discom now plans to encourage use of electric scooters.

To begin with, the BSES plans to encourage the use of electric scooters among thousands of their employees. For this, the company has entered into an agreement with the manufacturers of Hero electric scooters, which are being made available to employees at discounted prices and convenient instalments.

For the same, the BSES has asked Hero Exports to put up information kiosks at various BSES locations to spread awareness among visitors and employees regarding the benefits of using e-vehicles. This initiative is not only expected to reduce pollution, but also reduce the carbon footprint.

''The idea behind facilitating e-scooters for employees is part of BSES' continued efforts to champion the green cause among all its stakeholders and is in a continuous dialogue with them across platforms,'' said a BSES official.

Electric scooters, unlike their petrol counterparts, are very economical to run. They consume just one unit of electricity (costing between Rs 2.45 to Rs 4.65 per unit) for traveling 60 kms. Whereas their petrol counterparts consume around Rs 40 to run the same distance. An electric scooter is also low on maintenance.

After the successful roll-out of charge ports in east and central Delhi, BSES is now all set to roll out e-charge ports at vantage points across South and West Delhi.

Convenient locations have been identified and will have launched in the days ahead. They too, will be free, till the Commonwealth Games in October 2010.

According to a BSES spokesperson, ''As a responsible corporate citizen, BSES is promoting electric Vehicles (EV's) usage as they are a zero emission mode of transport.'' An electric motor is 400 per cent to 600 per cent more efficient than an internal combustion engine (ICE). An EV, per mile, uses one-half the fossil-fuel resources an ICE consumes. An EV produces only five per cent to 10 per cent of the emissions of an ICE per mile travelled.

BRPL and BYPL, Delhi's premier power distribution companies are committed to ensuring quality and reliable electricity supply to all their consumers.

Now, DDA under scanner over CWG pools

It is not just the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee that stands accused of inflating payments and manipulating tender processes.

The story of how four training swimming pools, including two at the Commonwealth Games Village, were constructed by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is one of blatant price escalation, allegations of tainted tendering and could now end with the embarrassment of the pools not receiving required certification on time.

As authorities rush to ensure that the pools get their certification ahead of the Games, the Central Vigilance Commission's technical examiner has begun to scan contracts, especially for filtration equipment procured by DDA which is now facing the prospect of some serious questioning.

The construction of the four swimming pools, the main one and a leisure pool at the Village and one pool each at Siri Fort and Yamuna Sports Complex, has seen DDA shelling out almost 20 times the price for filtration equipment compared to similar projects completed recently.

The filtration equipment for DDA's Chilla Sports Complex swimming pool, which has a larger capacity with similar specifications, was completed in April for about Rs 27 lakh. As of now, DDA is paying over Rs 5 crore for each of the main training pools.

When the pre-qualification estimate was done for filtration plants for the first time in September 2008, the estimate was a combined Rs 3.25 crore for the main and leisure pool at the Village. And Rs 2.5 crore each for the pools at Siri Fort and Yamuna complex.

The already high rates went up to Rs 3.19 crore in estimates when the chief engineer (electrical) initiated the process for inviting tenders in a few months time. But that was not the end. Towards the end of 2009, the cost for the filtration plant and other accessories went up to Rs 5.09 crore a pool.

DDA did not reply to a detailed questionnaire sent by TOI on August 16 on the entire issue.

What makes matters worse, said sources familiar with the contract, DDA may not be able to secure mandatory certification from Fidiration Internationale de Natation (FINA), the international body administering swimming standards, before the Games begin. Luckily, Talkatora stadium, the venue for swimming competitions, has obtained certification in time.

Along with the astronomical increase in cost, the tender process was delayed. From the time pre-qualification estimate was prepared, it took DDA more than a year to issue a tender at the end of 2009. Starting work late seems to be a common feature of all Games projects just as emergency clauses are then invoked.

The selection of manufacturers of the filtration equipment is also mired in controversy. In the initial tender document, there were three firms, but just one seemed a genuine manufacturer. At least one pre-qualified bidder who objected was disqualified, sources said.

Documents with TOI show that Pentair, a firm that reportedly makes filtration equipment in Spain, found its way into the final list of manufacturers. The then member (engineering) of DDA noted on file that the "basis (for inclusion) of Pentair has not been substantiated", and added "this be kept on record".

According to documents, a part of records that are part of a CVC inquiry, Pentair probably does not manufacture big filters and systems required for the Games and they have not possibly catered to Olympic size pools. A mandated inspection of the manufacturing plant in Spain was never undertaken by DDA.

On December 21, 2009 when the post-bid meeting was called, those who submitted tenders were given blank technical documents to fill up including mentioning makes of equipment. Pentair found its place in these documents. Despite all this and the inflated bills, the pools are yet not ready.

After CWG, Pune demands probe in CYG

The embattled Commonwealth Games organiser, Suresh Kalmadi’s woes just don’t seem to end. Now, there is a demand in his home constituency, Pune, that the accounts of the Commonwealth Youth Games, held in Pune in 2008 — also led by Mr Kalmadi — be reopened. The CYG had to be held in Pune because facilities in Delhi were not ready.

Along with the CYG accounts, there are other events with which Mr Kalmadi, Pune’s sitting MP, is associated with. The Pune International Marathon and the Pune International Film Festival are two others and there is a demand that grants these events received from the relevant departments be checked, too.

Responding to these demands, the state’s finance minister, Sunil Tatkare, said he will get the details from the concerned departments and take action in the next 15 days. “I am going to ask all the departments, like sports and culture, to submit all receipts and accounts. Every department must follow the guidelines laid down and I will ensure that these are enforced when it comes to auditing accounts,” Mr Tatkare told reporters at a hurriedly called press meet. However, there was no pre-determined agenda for the meet.

Among the events for which the state government gives grants are literary meets and the accounts of these have also either not been submitted or have been submitted in brief. In the case of the CYG, the bill for Rs 425 crore is on one sheet of paper and over Rs 300 crore comes under the single head `infrastructure’ , the minister said indicating indifferent approach of the organisers in maintaining accounts.

Mr Tatkare, incidentally, belongs to the NCP headed Mr Kalmadi’s mentorturned-arch foe—Sharad Pawar. In a rather curious turn of events, the CWG issue has brought two of Kalmadi’s bete noires—Mr Pawar and former chief minister and the minister for heavy industries Vilasrao Deshmukh—together . Mr Deshmukh’s last week said that none of the PSUs under his ministry will join the list of sponsors for the CWG.

Rain, rain, save face and come again Hunt for ‘excuse’ to defer Games

Like a cricket team facing defeat, some of those involved in Commonwealth Games preparations are looking to the rain to escape embarrassment.

Officials have told The Telegraph that if the heavy rains now lashing Delhi continue well into September, it would be impossible to finish the preparations in time for the October 3-14 event.

But that could be a “blessing in disguise”, an official said. It will provide India with the perfect excuse to get the event postponed, thus securing an honourable exit from a messy situation, he explained.

The unending rain, the heaviest in a decade, has further hobbled Games preparations just when the government had stepped in to speed up work and save India the blushes on the international stage. Yet the rain would not have mattered had the preparations been on schedule right from the beginning.

Those most enthusiastic about a postponement, therefore, are officials from the government agencies engaged in Games-related construction, whose tardy and substandard work have already embarrassed the country globally.

At a meeting with the group of ministers (GoM) for the event, held on August 15, agencies such as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) created a buzz about a possible postponement. They told the GoM it would be difficult to complete construction if the rain continued till September 10 or 15.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rain in north India for September as well.

A postponement is certain to cause the government a loss of face, for the Games have never been put off before and were cancelled only twice — because of the Second World War — in 1942 and 1946.

Yet, if the rain continues and these agencies throw up their hands, the government may be presented with a fait accompli. It will then have to recommend a postponement to the Commonwealth Games Federation, which too will be left with little option.

Sources said the likely date for a deferred Games could be end-October or early December to avoid a clash with the Asian Games, scheduled in November in Guangzhou, China. A deferred Commonwealth Games could lose many athletes to year-end events in their disciplines.

The pro-postponement camp may be helped by the dengue scare in Delhi, which has received wide international coverage and moved the GoM to express concern at the August 15 meeting.

Dengue cases have been reported even among the labourers and engineers at Games sites, particularly the Games Village and the Vasant Kunj flats that will house foreign visitors such as media technicians and team support staff.

The Yamuna floodwaters are now threatening the Games Village. At the meeting, the GoM was informed that “it appeared... that (only) 3,000 of the 5,000 (DDA) flats” at Vasant Kunj would be available. “The dining hall was not ready and as a standby, the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) was planning to erect a hangar for the dining hall.”

Landscaping and levelling is still on, debris is strewn about, the electricity is erratic and “the area is infested with mosquitoes”, the minutes of the meeting say. The GoM was told that if work on the flats extended beyond September 10, it would be difficult for ITDC even to put up makeshift arrangements by September 15, when teams are expected to start arriving.

“It would be an understatement to describe the situation as alarming. It is calamitous,” a senior official associated with Games projects said.

Sources said the Australian and New Zealand teams had indicated they would prefer to train in Singapore and arrive in Delhi a few days before the opening ceremony.

The home ministry and Delhi police have expressed reservations about having to put in place security apparatus at a short notice.

“It’s impossible to carry out security drills with construction continuing at nearly all the sites, with labourers flitting in and out of stadiums,” an official said. The home ministry had wanted at least 90 days for the security drills.

For now, many are praying to the weather gods. Whether for more rain or less is anybody’s guess.

Goel: Remove Kalmadi, set up all-party committee

Opposition party BJP is now demanding that the Commonwealth Games needs an all-party face to instil confidence in the public.

National secretary Vijay Goel met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday and asked for the immediate removal of the organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and the formation of an all-party committee that would look into charges of corruption in the Games.

"The Games have been riddled with corruption and mismanagement and I presented the PM with a memorandum that stated the real position of the preparation and where all the organising committee and the local government have made money. In the 30 minutes that we were together, I told the PM of all that has transpired since 2003 till now in terms of preparation for the Games. The PM gave me a patient hearing and assured me that he would look into the matter," said Goel.

Goel added that in view of the massive mistrust among people regarding the government and the way the Games projects have been implemented, it was necessary to have an all-party involvement in each step.

"It is necessary to present a united face of all parties before the public so that their faith is restored. For things like inspections and the inauguration ceremony, a joint-party forum should be involved," he said.