Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Proposal of more funds for Games 2010

It is well known that 2010 commonwealth games projects has been the most costly affair in the Indian infrastructural development history, as government, both Delhi and Indian has allotted a huge amount of funds for the projects. Today cabinet may clear some more funds for the games.

Commonwealth Games 2010 is going to be a costly affair with the Cabinet on Thursday expected to clear a proposal to revise budget of the Organizing Committee to around 1,600 crore.

With increasing demands from Games committee headed by Suresh Kalmadi, the sports ministry is now seeking a special grant of Rs 1,640 crore just to meet the day-to-day management of the fortnight-long Games to be held in October next year.

The estimated amount will be spent on the visiting athletes and officials, including their transportation, daily needs and medical expenses. According to sources, the country will end up spending much more and the amount can go up to Rs 2,000 crore.

The original budget was Rs 200 crore before it was raised to around Rs 800 crore for just managing the Games.

Many sports ministry officials are amazed at the huge size of the Games committee with around 500 people already hired at handsome salaries which are inflating the budget.

An official pointed out that the reasons for cost overrun could be as strange as bearing the transportation expenses of foreign athletes from their countries.

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