Published: Sunday, Aug 15, 2010, 3:42 IST
By Harish Gupta | Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_finally-pm-cracks-the-whip-sets-out-to-fix-c-wealth-games-mess_1423554
Prime minister Manmohan Singh finally swung into action on Saturday and took to task all those responsible for the delays plaguing the preparations for the Commonwealth Games.
Clipping the wings of CWG organising committee chief Suresh Kalmadi, he has given overriding powers to a committee of secretaries (headed by the cabinet secretary) to supervise preparations for the October event.
He also empowered the Group of Ministers, headed by urban development minister Jaipal Reddy to take “all decisions necessary” for its smooth conduct.
The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting Saturday that was attended by union sports minister MS Gill, urban development minister S Jaipal Reddy, Delhi lieutenant governor Tejendra Khanna and Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit, besides other senior officials. Singh reportedly directed the officials present to probe all complaints of irregularities and punish those found guilty.
Upset by the delays, the PM told those in charge of renovating the stadiums that he “will visit some of the venues myself.” He also declared that all stadiums must be handed over to the games committee by August 31.
Unwilling to accept the explanations given by the ministers and bureaucrats, the PM made it clear that nobody would be spared and exemplary punishment would be given.
The government pondered appointing a new person in place of Kalmadi. But it was felt that to make him resign just six weeks before the games would not be proper.
Meanwhile, Congress president Sonia Gandhi summoned the Delhi CM, Sheila Dixit, to discuss the city’s overall preparedness for the event.
