New Delhi: The Central Vigilance Commission has said almost all organisations executing infrastructure works for the Commonwealth Games 2010 have flouted tender norms. Contractors have been paid higher than justified price. Despite higher prices, work done is poor and also delayed, there is no guarantee of quality. Test records are fabricated to show compliance and hide poor quality of work. Concrete used in various stadiums has failed to meet strength requirements. Poor concrete poses a risk to life for participating athletes and spectators too.
The CVC further says ordinary concrete mixture is used instead of the prescribed Ready Mix Concrete. Third party inspection agency, appointed to submit monthly reports, has not prepared a single report. Electrical installations have not been tested in 14 out of 17 venues, this could prove to be fatal during the Games. And, several ineligible agencies have been awarded contracts, despite a ban on them. Following the charges, CNN-IBN spoke to Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the Organising Committee for the Games. Excerpts:
CNN-IBN: The CVC report, which CNN-IBN has a copy of, suggests corruption rampant in the organisation of the Commonwealth Games. As chairman of the Organisisng Committee what do you have to say to these charges?
Suresh Kalmadi: We have nothing to do with the stadiums' contruction or anything else. Now we are going to take over the stadiums which are already built by the respective departments. We are not in this business at all.
CNN-IBN: But should you not have exercised greater due diligence while the stadiums were being constructed? Reports suggest that the stadiums are not up to the mark, way below the acceptable standards.
Suresh Kalmadi: We are only concerned about the stadium surface should be up to date. That's it.
CNN-IBN: The CVC report also suggests that some material used in the construction of the stadiums is not up to the mark. Will you take up this issue with the agencies responsible for the construction of the stadiums?
Suresh Kalmadi: We will definitely have to look at it.
CNN-IBN: You are passing the buck. Surely the buck must stop somewhere.
Suresh Kalmadi: My job is to run the Game.
CNN-IBN: The CVC report suggesting corruption comes a day after former Sports minister Mani Shankar Aiyar slammed the Organising Committee and the Games, per se. What do you have to say to such charges?
Suresh Kalmadi: I am sure it will go well.
CNN-IBN: Is there a worry that the Games have been stained by these allegations of corruption?
Suresh Kalmadi: We have nothing to do with the construction part of the Games.
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