Kalmadi says his powers have not been curtailed

Chairman, OC, Suresh Kalmadi (right) interacts with the media during a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday. CGF chief Mike Fennel is also in the picture. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi said on Friday that his powers had not been curtailed in the organisational set-up in the wake of the appointment of bureaucrats to coordinate work in several functional areas.

Rebutting news reports that suggested that he was stripped of his powers, Mr. Kalmadi said: “There is nothing new [following the appointment of bureaucrats]. It is the same old system. I was the one who suggested that the GoM [Group of Ministers] be empowered to take decisions. We wanted more bureaucrats in several areas of organisation in order to speed up things.”

He said the Cabinet Secretary was heading a group of Secretaries and getting daily reports on the progress on all fronts.

Mr. Kalmadi said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was very supportive and keen to ensure that there were no more slip-ups in the preparations.

“I have to deliver the Games. I continue to head the Organising Committee (OC) and we continue to take all decisions that are to be taken.”

On Thursday, the Executive Board of the OC, headed by Mr. Kalmadi, cleared the catering contract, the ceremonies and the funds for the Image and Look division that was handling the brand-building exercise for the Games.

Mr. Kalmadi made it clear that he was not in charge of the infrastructure (sports venues) and civic infrastructure that were being developed by various government agencies and his responsibility was in the organisation of the Games.

He reiterated his stand that he was ready to face any kind of enquiry to clear his name in the alleged scam.