The Commonwealth Games Association has asked the Organising Committee (OC) to immediately return equipment taken on lease from foreign companies for beautifying the Aerostat displayed in the opening ceremony of the CWG Delhi.
The OC has also been fined `2.5 crore for not returning the equipment. However, the OC officials maintained that since the equipment have not been released due to the on-going probe in connection with the alleged financial irregularities in conduct of the Games, they have requested the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) and the Indian sports ministry to get the fine waved off.
Beleaguered officials of the OC have requested the CGA and the Union sports ministry to get the fine waved off after some Australian companies involved in the preparations of the Games assured that they are preparing a lawsuit against the OC over the issue of non-payment of services. Sources also pointed out that the OC has also requested some Australian and British firms who were given contracts in the Delhi CWG and have not been paid to wait for a period of a month. “Various investigations in the games related financial irregularities might take a month to wind up, if a the firms accusing the OC for non-payments can wait till the probe is going on, it will be easier for the OC to make their payments,” said an OC official. Sources in the OC added, “however, the OC is looking forward to get the fine waved off.” Meanwhile, the firms which have accused the OC for non-payment were not available for comments.
Earlier, the sports ministry sacked OC chairperson Suresh Kalmadi and general secretary Lalit Bhanot following a slew of corruption charges against them. Three OC officials have already been arrested.