Shunglu panel indicts Lalli, Aruna Sharma on CWG deal

New Delhi, Feb 1(PTI) A High Level Committee, which went
into alleged financial irregularities in Commonwealth Games
held in India last year, has strongly indicted suspended
Prasar Bharti CEO B S Lalli and Doordarshan Director General
Aruna Sharma, accusing them of "collusion" with a UK-based
firm which benefited Rs 135 crore in the broadcast deal.
The two-member Committee headed by former Comptroller and
Auditor General V K Shunglu has also recommended action
against the two officials saying "they cannot be recused from
the acts of omission and commission which facilitated this
wrong doing".
The 236-page interim report of the HLC was submitted
on Monday to the Government and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
has taken a "serious view" of the findings. He has sent it to
the Cabinet Secretary and sought follow up steps within a
week.
"Stern action is likely to be taken on the basis of the
Cabinet Secretary's recommendations," a PMO statement said.
Lalli has already been suspended on a reference made to
the President for his removal.
The Committee said that based on documents available it
has concluded that the actual cost of the contract awarded to
SIS LIVE was at best about Rs 111 crore, thus resulting in a
profit of at least Rs 135 crore for SIS LIVE and Zoom
Communications.
"The responsibility for providing undue benefit to SIS
LIVE and Zoom Communications is primarily that of the then
CEO, Prasar Bharti and Director General Doordarshan. They
cannot be recused from the acts of omission and commission
which facilitated this wrong doing," the report said.