Suresh Kalmadi being at the Center of the controversy regarding the Common Wealth Games Scam, the Government today blamed the previous NDA Government for appointing him as Organizing Committee Chairman and said that nothing could be done later.
Sports Minister Ajay Maken dragged the NDA Government in the wake of reports that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had criticised the Prime Minister's Offfice (PMO) for making funds to the tune of Rs.2000 crore available to Kalmadi and giving him decisive power for their utilisation during the Common Wealth Games.
The reports, quoting the leaked CAG report which is expected to be tabled in Parliament soon, blamed the PMO for making Kalmadi the Chairman of the OC and even though questions are raised by the then Sports Minister Sunil Dutt and some others in the government.
Suggesting that the current PMO could do nothing regarding Kalmadi's appointment, Maken told reporters "There were two options. Either to scrap the Common Wealth Games or to go with the host city contract, which was signed by the NDA government in 2003. There was no third option."
Maken said the the Games management protocol clearly said that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) shall form the organising committee.
The minister also questioned why the contract was cleared by the Union Cabinet in the NDA Government and signed by the then Sports Secretary.
He also added that by the signing on the contract by the Central Government , they left all doors closed for them. Because once it was signed by the Union Government, it was binding on the Union Government which could not have gone back.
He said all Opposing parties "who are making hue and cry now" were part of the General Assembly of IOA which elected Suresh Kalmadi as the Chairman of the Organising Committee.
Reported by
AR
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