Former Union Minister Vijay Goel and motivational speaker Shiv Khera on Friday demanded a White Paper from the Government on how funds are being spent on the Commonwealth Games.
Alleging irregularities in the spending, they also asked for putting the daily updates on a website for proper public scrutiny.
Addressing a press conference, the two said no one today believes that the preparations for the Games would be completed on time. “There have been reports of delays in various projects and my fear is that a major embarrassment would be caused if Delhi is found under-prepared for the event,’’ Mr. Goel said.
Mr. Goel and Mr. Khera, who announced the launch of a “Citizen Forum for Commonwealth Games” for keeping a constant eye on the Games, said there needs to be a check on the manner the funds meant for the Games are being spent.
Both said there was total chaos surrounding the preparations. “We want to alert the people and will be organising a ‘Run to Stop Delays and Waste of Public Money in Commonwealth Games’ on Sunday from the National Stadium to the Organising Committee head office at Jantar Mantar,” they said.
A former Union Minister of State for Sports who was instrumental in bringing the Commonwealth Games to India, Mr. Goel said while he was in favour of the Games, he “did not want loot of common people’s money”.
“The kind of wastage by India during the closing ceremony of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006 is something we do not want to be repeated during the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Games.’’
For this, Mr. Goel and Mr. Khera demanded that the Centre create a website giving out details of money being allocated for the event and how it was being spent.
