Top CWG heads roll as games near
New Delhi: A three-member panel set up by Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) to probe the charges of financial irregularities and extravagant spending has suspended T S Darbari, the committee's Joint Director and key aide of OC chief Suresh Kalmadi.
Two other close men of Suresh Kalmadi in the OC- M Jaichandran and Sanjay Mahendroo were also suspended, OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot told a press conference.
Anil Khanna, treasurer of the OC who came under scanner of corruption allegations, resigned. A K Mattoo took over in his place.
The panel also terminated the contract of Australian Company SMAM for non-performance.
The probe of financial scandal of Commonwealth Games has been handed over to the Enforcement Directorate.
"This is not the time to stop working and thing about ourselves. We will deliver," Bhanot told reporters announcing the suspension.
"We are open to any query by any agency to investigate whatever is happening in OC," he said.
"Everybody will be proud of the game," he said.
Anil Khanna stepped down as treasurer after allegations flew thick that Khanna's son had bagged the contract for laying tennis courts at the games.
He was replaced by A K Mattoo who promised all fairness henceforth.
Rebound Ace, an Australian firm, has got the contracts for synthetic turfs for Commonwealth Games. The CEO of the firm is Khanna's son Aditya.
He said the firm - Rebound Ace- quoted lowest in the tender and hence bagged the contract and the Government of India could save money for that.
“I joined the Organising Committee in January 2010 when the process of tennis court was over. I had no conflict of interest,” he told reporters here.
He said the same company Rebound Ace had prepared the turf for Doha 2006 Asian Games when Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi had won despite their differences and also Sania Mirza played in the turfs prepared by them and won.
He said the International Olympic Committee also chose Rebound Ace.
He said he was concerned about his reputation.
Media reports said the probe panel is likely to blame Darbari for CWG Queen's Baton Relay irregularities in London.
Darbari was a key face of the Organising Committee (OC) and was heading important functional areas like revenue, marketing and merchandise.
Darbari also came under the scanner six months ago when he was accused of smuggling a diamond ring worth Rs 28 lakh from Dubai. He is considered influential and close to many politicians. He was also close to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The Sports ministry had written a letter to the OC asking it to remove Darbari because he was being investigated in a customs duty evasion case.
As heads rolled and charges flew thick and fast against the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC), sports minister M.S.Gill said Thursday that the government will look into the charges of corruption.
Gill, however, ruled out setting up of an apex committee to oversee the Games.
"As far as corruption is concerned, government will take all actions. I will write to the authorities including Finance Minister (and request him) please go seriously into ... if there is anything," Gill said in the Rajya Sabha.
New Delhi: A three-member panel set up by Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) to probe the charges of financial irregularities and extravagant spending has suspended T S Darbari, the committee's Joint Director and key aide of OC chief Suresh Kalmadi. Two other close men of Suresh Kalmadi...
New Delhi: A three-member panel set up by Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) to probe the charges of financial irregularities and extravagant spending has suspended T S Darbari, the committee's Joint Director and key aide of OC chief Suresh Kalmadi.
Two other close men of Suresh Kalmadi in the OC- M Jaichandran and Sanjay Mahendroo were also suspended, OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot told a press conference.
Anil Khanna, treasurer of the OC who came under scanner of corruption allegations, resigned. A K Mattoo took over in his place.
The panel also terminated the contract of Australian Company SMAM for non-performance.
The probe of financial scandal of Commonwealth Games has been handed over to the Enforcement Directorate.
"This is not the time to stop working and thing about ourselves. We will deliver," Bhanot told reporters announcing the suspension.
"We are open to any query by any agency to investigate whatever is happening in OC," he said.
"Everybody will be proud of the game," he said.
Anil Khanna stepped down as treasurer after allegations flew thick that Khanna's son had bagged the contract for laying tennis courts at the games.
He was replaced by A K Mattoo who promised all fairness henceforth.
Rebound Ace, an Australian firm, has got the contracts for synthetic turfs for Commonwealth Games. The CEO of the firm is Khanna's son Aditya.
He said the firm - Rebound Ace- quoted lowest in the tender and hence bagged the contract and the Government of India could save money for that.
“I joined the Organising Committee in January 2010 when the process of tennis court was over. I had no conflict of interest,” he told reporters here.
He said the same company Rebound Ace had prepared the turf for Doha 2006 Asian Games when Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi had won despite their differences and also Sania Mirza played in the turfs prepared by them and won.
He said the International Olympic Committee also chose Rebound Ace.
He said he was concerned about his reputation.
Media reports said the probe panel is likely to blame Darbari for CWG Queen's Baton Relay irregularities in London.
Darbari was a key face of the Organising Committee (OC) and was heading important functional areas like revenue, marketing and merchandise.
Darbari also came under the scanner six months ago when he was accused of smuggling a diamond ring worth Rs 28 lakh from Dubai. He is considered influential and close to many politicians. He was also close to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The Sports ministry had written a letter to the OC asking it to remove Darbari because he was being investigated in a customs duty evasion case.
As heads rolled and charges flew thick and fast against the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC), sports minister M.S.Gill said Thursday that the government will look into the charges of corruption.
Gill, however, ruled out setting up of an apex committee to oversee the Games.
"As far as corruption is concerned, government will take all actions. I will write to the authorities including Finance Minister (and request him) please go seriously into ... if there is anything," Gill said in the Rajya Sabha.
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