Under-pressure Kalmadi says ready for CAG or judicial probe

New Delhi, Aug 4 (PTI) Cornered by allegations of
corruption in the Commonwealth Games' preparations and
isolated within his own party, under-fire Organising Committee
chairman Suresh Kalmadi Wednesday said he is ready to face any
CAG or judicial probe into the financial transactions related
to the event.
"I, as Chairman of the Organising Committee, am prepared
to face any scrutiny by (Comptroller and Auditor General) CAG
or even a judicial probe for all financial transactions being
reported by the media. All the people found guilty will be
punished and brought to book," Kalmadi said in a statement.
Kalmadi's statement came a day after more allegations of
irregularities and the Indian High Commission's e-mails being
'doctored' came to light. The Congress party also distanced
itself from Pune MP.
Kalmadi reiterated that the all transactions were carried
out by the full approval of the OC's various finance committee
and he did not have any individual say on these matters.
"The financial procedures at the Organising Committee are
well laid down and transparent. Any proposal that is prepared
by the Functional Area Head first gets vetted by the OC
Finance Committee which has two representatives of Government
of India, and after that it is referred to Finance
Sub-Committee, comprising of three Senior representatives of
Government of India," he explained.
"Thereafter, the proposals are submitted to the Executive
Board for its final approval. Chairman OC, in his individual
capacity, does not have any financial powers," he added.
Kalmadi said, nonetheless, he has taken note of the
various reported bunglings.

"60 days are left for the start of XIX Commonwealth Games
2010 to be held in New Delhi and 43 days for Games Village to
open when about 8000 athletes and Officials from all
continents of the world start arriving to participate in the
Games," Kalmadi said.
"During the last week, media has come out with various
stories regarding the irregularities in the orders/
procurement etc. of QBR Launch Function at London/Overlays and
association of M/S Sports Marketing and Management (SMAM) in
obtaining the Sponsorship for the games.
"I have taken a serious note of these reports and
appointed a three member committee headed by Mr. Jarnail
Singh, the Chief Executive Officer and two members, Mr G C
Chaturvedi, Special Director General and Ms. Gurjot Kaur Chief
Vigilance Officer of Organising Committee to look into all the
details of QBR Launch Function, Overlays and SMAM issues. The
Committee has been asked to submit its report by August 5,
2010," the statement read.
The Indian Olympic Association chief was left red-faced
Tuesday when the Ministry of External Affairs said that the
e-mails from the Indian High Commission that he made public to
justify huge payments to a UK-based firm were 'doctored'.
His back against the wall, Kalmadi has been isolated in
the OC as well with some his own colleagues demanding an
emergency meeting to discuss allegations of corruption, which
have also been highlighted in a Central Vigilance Commission
report. PTI PM
MRD