Commonwealth Games chiefs sacked

Suresh Kalmadi and secretary general sacked to enable an "unhindered" police probe into alleged corruption.

NEW DELHI:

India’s sports ministry removed the top two organisers of last year’s Commonwealth Games to enable an “unhindered” police probe into alleged corruption.

Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the Games organising committee, and Lalit Bhanot, the secretary general, were sacked “in the interest of impartial and unhindered investigations,” said the ministry.

The decision to remove them was taken by Congress party politician Ajay Maken, who last week took over as sports minister. “In light of the concerns expressed by the Central Bureau of Investigation and in the interest of impartial and unhindered investigations, it has been decided to remove Kalmadi and Bhanot,” said Maken.

Both Kalmadi and Bhanot were asked by the minister to hand charge over to Jarnail Singh, the chief executive officer of the organising committee.

The Games, marred by venue delays and chaotic organisation, were also hit by claims of massive financial irregularities as the budget ballooned three times to an estimated $6 billion. The national anti-corruption watchdog, the Central Vigilance Commission, received complaints alleging that money up to $1.8 billion was misappropriated.

Maken last week ordered the Games organisers to sort out differences with foreign contractors and sports bodies amid complaints and legal threats over millions of dollars in unpaid bills. He set a 10-day deadline for government officials in the organising committee to settle all “legitimate” dues.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2011.