The Central probe agencies, including the CBI, have taken serious note of the appointment of 35 advisers by the top brass of the Organising Committee (OC) in different fields in connection with the Commonwealth Games (CWG) and are investigating further to ascertain the circumstances under which they were appointed. The probe has revealed that the advisors, though being paid a hefty sum every month or on every visit, did not even submit monthly reports to the OC. The OC has already been facing several allegations of irregularities regarding appointments of foreign consultants and paying them at a heavy price.
“The agencies have sought an explanation from the OC as to why it kept on making hefty monthly payments to the advisors, who were not even submitting monthly reports to the OC,” sources said.
It is learnt that the OC made monthly payments of `1 lakh to at least seven of the 35 advisors, who dealt with areas like — hospitality, ticketing, web designing and media and uniform and communication, sources said. Besides, all advisors were paid an additional amount of at least `40,000 per month towards conveyance charges.
“The CBI and other probe agencies are examining the circumstances under which they were paid such a hefty monthly package. Barring a very few, almost all advisors never bothered to submit any monthly report to the OC,” sources said.
“Probe by the agencies has revealed that at least two advisors, appointed for catering and communication were paid `1.6 lakh per month. Apart from its consultation fee, the consultant, who was appointed for uniforms, had his room rent paid for stay in a hotel when in Delhi and the air fare for economy class for the monthly trip to Pune,” sources said. Sources further said that the advisor who was appointed for hospitality was being paid an additional amount of at least `40,000 per month as conveyance charges. The CBI is likely to question former OC Chairman Suresh Kalmadi.