Question : IRREGULARITIES IN COMMONWEALTH GAMES PROJECTS

(a) whether the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) finds irregularities in several games projects related to Commonwealth Games as reported in the media;

(b) if so, the details of the facts of the matter reported therein along with the details of project works inspected by it;

(c) whether the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in its report given to the Prime Minister Office, Delhi Government and others had also pointed out the same irregularities and had feared that the Games preparations are far way off targets;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the corrective steps taken by the Central Government in this regard;

(f) whether the Government proposes to go into the whole gamut of the alleged corruption in awarding contracts for different projects and bring the guilty persons to books;

(g) if so, the details thereof; and

(h) the time likely to be taken to complete the whole investigation?

MINISTER OF THE STATE (Independent Charge) IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY; MINISTER OF THE STATE (Independent Charge) IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCE; MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE PRIME’S MINISTER OFFICE; MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS;AND MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a) & (b): The Chief Technical Examiner’s Unit of the Central Vigilance Commission, as its routine work, had undertaken intensive examination of works related to Commonwealth Games. The Commission in its inquiry found that works were awarded at higher rates and the quality of the works was also not up to the mark. Further, ineligible agencies were also awarded the works. The Commission has advised the organizations concerned to take corrective steps in the works inspected. Organizations have been advised systemic improvement, adherence to CVC guidelines on transparency in tender and procurement and fixing of responsibility against officers indentified for lapses.

(c) & (d): The Comptroller and Auditor General of India conducted review of “preparedness for XIX Commonwealth Games 2010” in order to gain an understanding of the progress of projects and preparedness of different agencies for organizing the games and to identify significant risks that needed to be addressed. It was observed that there had been slippages in the time schedules of some of the construction works and deficiencies had also been observed in some of the works.

(e): The Ministries concerned, the Government of the National Capital Region and the Organizing Committee were directed to complete all pending works expeditiously through time-bound action plans, and carry out a quality audit of the completed facilities.

(f) to (h): The concerned Ministries were also directed to conduct thorough investigations into all the complaints that have been received of procedural and other irregularities. Those found guilty should face severe and exemplary punishment.