The blame for irregularities in the management of common wealth games of last year has been widened by India's state auditor from its local organizers to the higher echelons of the ruling party of the congress. The criticism against the Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, has been raised in a report by the comptroller and auditor general on the 2010 Common Wealth Games that is expected to be tabled in the parliament in the coming days. The draft report of the Controller and Auditor General clearly states that Ms. Dikshit cost the Government $6.9m in losses by opting for imported equipment for street lighting in Delhi during the Championships. A company called Space Age which imported low cost bulbs from Saudi Arabia has been named by CAG. As a supplier, the Space Age had been earlier disqualified, but was later cleared by the Chief Minister.
Ms. Dikhit has been elected three times as the Capital's Chief Minister. She is one of the most senior leaders in the congress party. Any wrong doing has been denied by her persisting that she had protected national prestige.
For the recent penetrating state audits that have also exposed a $39bn telecom corruption scandal and allegations of inflated costs in India's oil and gas sector, the Chief Minister is the latest target.
The Common Wealth Games, a show piece event to reflect India's global ambitions, were determined by ramshackle preparations and have since attracted allegations of widespread corruption and cost overruns.
As a sense of crisis around the cost grew, the costs distended to as much as $2bn. According to the critics the sense of panic increased the opportunity for corrupt practices.
Suresh Kalmadi, a congress politician turned sports organizer from the western industrial city of Pune, had been the main target of criticism previously. Mr. Kalmadi has been jailed and is expected to face the trial on charges of fixing the procurement of equipment for the competition.
According to those peoples close to the CAG's report, Ms.Dikshit who was credited for Delhi's infrastructure overhaul was complacent in her approach to the city's readiness for the Common Wealth Games.
It was stated by one of them that the State auditor was alarmed that even with a seven year lead a sense of urgency was purposely created to cut corners and not adhere to the guidelines of the Government.
The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh had appealed to Ms. Dikshit to rescue the games after its shortcomings caused a public furore on the arrival of competitors. She was considered a trouble shooter in the days before the opening ceremony.
By, SM
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