India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reportedly said no stone would be left unturned to make the New Delhi Commonwealth Games a success, and has appointed a panel of officials to oversee the games that begin October 3.
Singh has ordered an investigation into allegations of corruption surrounding the games. In a report earlier this month the Central Vigilance Commission, the federal governments’ anti-corruption regulator, identified at least 16 projects where financial irregularities were suspected, reports the Irish Times.
Also, the event has reportedly emerged as the costliest Commonwealth Games ever – the original infrastructure and organizing budget of $2 billion has risen more than 17.5 times.
Three senior officials have been suspended over financial irregularities and new revelations; and graft is suspected, not only in the awarding of contracts, but in the hiring or purchasing equipment including air conditioners, treadmills, toilet and tissue paper.
According to the vigilance commission there are a host of problems with shoddy construction work, including the use of poor-quality material and the awarding of dubious contracts that place in doubt the safety of some sporting venues, reports the Irish Times.
There are also serious allegations over the transfer of large sums of money from the games’ organizing committee to a London-based firm for the Queen’s baton relay.
