Sports Minister M.S. Gill promised on Saturday to take “prompt and appropriate” action against corruption cases in the Commonwealth Games and said all deals related to the sporting extravaganza should be tabled in Parliament.
Mr. Gill said that if any irregularities related to October 3—14 mega event were brought to his Ministry’s notice, it would deal with it seriously and swiftly.
“Anything that needs to be looked at must be looked at and it will continue even after the Games. I believe that we must put forward everything before the Parliament and the people,” he told reporters here.
“I am closely following whatever has been reported in the media related to the various issues of the Games, preparations as well as other issues. Whatever they may be, the clear policy and duty of the Ministry is that if anything comes to our notice which needed to be dealt with, then the officers must make sure that they deal with it promptly and appropriately.
“I believe that in our country which is a very powerful and vibrant democracy with a very strong press, we need to support the democracy and the people’s right to know,” the Minister said.
The Delhi Games were hit by a major scam after the British Government raised questions about a substantial sum of money which was transferred to A.M. Films, a little known U.K. company from the Games Organising Committee (OC).
Reports claimed that over 4.50 lakh pounds were transferred through a British bank to the company, which was also said to be receiving 25,000 pounds a month for costume designing.
Mr. Gill said financial bungling may be making headlines, but at this crucial juncture hosting a successful Games should be the priority of all the parties concerned.
“I think for all of us the prime focus has to be that in a little over 2 months we will be hosting the Commonwealth Games, which were taken in 2003 by the country’s government and continued by the successor governments.
“The major parties support the necessity to conclude the Games in a successful manner for the honour and the good of the country and now it should be the prime duty for all of us,” he said.
“We (ministry) have to make sure that we complete all the stadiums on time and keep on supporting the athletes. We should not lose focus of the necessity of delivering a good event for the honour of the country,” the Minister reiterated.
