The government may soon force some of the top members of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) organising committee (OC), including its chairman Suresh Kalmadi and secretary-general Lalit Bhanot, to step down from the posts they are holding.
According to sources, decision is likely to be taken in view of the both Mr Kalmadi and Mr Bhanot reportedly refusing to sign important cheques and documents, involving foreign contractors.
They may also be forced to resign from their posts because of the recent letter written by Central Bureau of Investigation director A.P. Singh to the Cabinet secretary in which the former had said that both were proving to be a hindrance in agency’s probe.
Sources said the Cabinet secretary has reportedly conveyed that since the organising committee is no more a part of his secretariat, he cannot remove Mr Kalmadi and Mr Bhanot.
As per the existing norms both cannot be removed from their posts, as organising committee is an autonomous body, sources added.
Now, there is every possibility that authorities concerned may force them to step down and make somebody else authorised signatories to clear the payments as quickly as possible, sources said.
“With the Central Bureau of Investigation investigating various alleged corruption cases related to the Commonwealth Games, the two individuals have stopped signing any documents and cheques needed for giving clearances to the shipments and contractors concerned,” sources said.
The high commissions of Australia, Italy, France and the United Kingdom have already written to the Central ministries concerned seeking expeditious clearance of payments of around `350 crores by the OC to the contractors of their respective countries who supplied equipment for the Games.
Sources further added saying, “Around 450 shipments are waiting at various ports in the country and cannot be cleared unless Mr Kalmadi and Mr Bhanot sign certain crucial documents required for the clearances.”