Review CWG status: PMO asks Cabinet Secretary

New Delhi: The Prime Minister's Office intervened in the preparation for Commonwealth Games on Saturday asking Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrashekhar to review the status of all ongoing projects related to the Games.

Chandrashekhar has been asked to see why project deadlines are not being met with just over 60 days to go for the Commonwealth Games, which start on October 3.

The Cabinet Secretary on Saturday cancelled his visit to the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee office. However, officials claimed that the cancellation of the visit had nothing to do with the allegations of corruption against the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has found serious discrepancies like award of works at higher rates to bidders and poor quality of construction in a dozen Commonwealth Games construction works. The CVC has now asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the award of tenders.

The report of CVC's Chief Technical Examination Officer is a damning review of 42 government organisations making infrastructure for the Commonwealth Games.

The CVC has asked CBI to register corruption case against MCD officials for criminal conspiracy and the investigating agency will also probe irregularities in a tender issued for upgradation of street lighting in New Delhi for Commonwealth Games worth several crores of rupees.

However, CVC also put out a denial that it was a full-fledged CVC report saying that the report of CTEO are sent to different organisations for remedial action, system improvement and to identify officials responsible.

But CBI sources have told CNN-IBN that by the time Games are over, CVC will ask CBI to probe each and every contract awarded for the Commonwealth Games not just for constructing infrastructure, but also contracts awarded by Suresh Kalmadi's organising committee.

An under fire Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has denied all allegations of corruption in a press conference.

"I don't want to comment on the report as I haven't received information on it," said Sheila.

Union Sports Minister MS Gill, in an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN, chose to be more diplomatic and promised action after the Games are over.

The Opposition BJP and CPI-M have promised to take the issue to Parliament. The CNN-IBN expose is expected to dominate proceedings next week in both houses of Parliament.

"CVC report is serious. It should be tabled in Parliament. The country's pride is at stake," said Sitaram Yechury.

But it's not corruption that's worrying organisers. Use of sub-standard material in construction of stadiums might make it a risky affair for spectators and athletes and that's what India is praying to avoid.