Rattled by increasing allegations of corruption in the Commonwealth Games and isolated within his own party, under-fire OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Wednesday said that he is ready to face any probe into financial transactions even as fresh scandals hit the mega-event.
Even as the three-member probe panel continued its investigations into the allegations, the Organising Committee found itself on a sticky wicket as it came to light that one of its key officials had asked the UK-based company to inflate the taxi hiring rates.
Televisions channels produced an email purportedly written by Dr Sanjay Mohindroo, OC's Deputy Director General who has now resigned, asking Ashish Patel, the owner of AM Films which is at the centre of controversy, to inflate the taxi hire rates. Patel, has however denied any wrongdoings.
The day unfolded with Kalmadi willing to face a CAG or judical probe while the OC called a press conference later in the day to vehemently deny any irregularities in procuring overlays for the stadiums.
"I, as Chairman of the Organising Committee, am prepared to face any scrutiny by (Comptroller and Auditor General) CAG or even a judicial probe for all financial transactions being reported by the media. All the people found guilty will be punished and brought to book," Kalmadi said in a statement.
Kalmadi's statement came a day after more allegations of irregularities and the Indian High Commission's e-mails being 'doctored' came to light. The Congress party also distanced itself from Pune MP.
Kalmadi reiterated that the all transactions were carried out by the full approval of the OC's various finance committee and he did not have any individual say on these matters.
"The financial procedures at the Organising Committee are well laid down and transparent. Any proposal that is prepared by the Functional Area Head first gets vetted by the OC Finance Committee which has two representatives of Government of India, and after that it is referred to Finance Sub-Committee, comprising of three Senior representatives of Government of India," he explained.
"Thereafter, the proposals are submitted to the Executive Board for its final approval. Chairman OC, in his individual capacity, does not have any financial powers," he added.
Kalmadi said, nonetheless, he has taken note of the various reported bunglings.
"I have taken a serious note of these reports and appointed a three member committee headed by Mr. Jarnail Singh, the Chief Executive Officer and two members, Mr. G. C. Chaturvedi, Special Director General and Ms. Gurjot Kaur Chief Vigilance Officer of Organising Committee to look into all the details of QBR Launch Function, Overlays and SMAM issues. The Committee has been asked to submit its report by August 5, 2010," the statement read.
