Briefly noted

Image of Games can’t be damaged,says Fennell
The embattled Commonwealth Games Organisers on Tuesday received a strong rebuke from CGF chief Michael Fennell who said the image of the Games could not be damaged by corruption charges. “We cannot allow the Games’ image to be damaged by these allegations. I think we want to have good Games,but we need to clarify these (allegations) and ensure there is full investigation and transparency,” Fennell said in his first reaction to the corruption allegations. “We will ask for a full report on what has been alleged and we want an urgent report. I understand an urgent meeting of the executive board of the OC has been called and I will be visiting Delhi on August 18. I myself would be wanting to look at all these things…,” he added.“I am monitoring all the aspects very carefully and it does cause quite a lot of concern because we don’t want to have corruption whatsoever. It is something which is very disturbing and do feel that the matter needs urgent attention by Indian authorities,” he told NDTV from Jamaica.

Most projects to be over by Aug 20: MCD
After missing several deadlines,the MCD on Tuesday said most of its Games projects are likely to be completed by August 20. The status of various projects was reviewed at a meeting of MCD Works Committee presided over by its chairman and BJP councillor Jagdish Mamgain,who expressed unhappiness with contractors. “Projects are likely to be completed by August 20. Repeated delay and failure in completion of works by contractors is being taken seriously. Illegal road digging was also a matter of concern and was raised in the meeting,” Mamgain said.

CAG Games report by March next year
Days after the Central Vigilance Commission levelled corruption charges against organisers of the Commonwealth Games,government auditor CAG began vetting the Games’ expenditure. However,it would submit a report only by March,well after the Games in October. “CAG has started the audit work for CWG-related work payments,contracts and leasing of sports equipment among others. We should be able to submit the report by March 2011,” said Additional Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General Rekha Gupta.

UK firm banned by Registrar of Companies
London: Ashish Patel,whose companies AM Cars and Vans and AM Films is involved in controversial dealing with the Games Organising Committee,is already under a ban order by the Registrar of Companies. As per information given by the UK Registrar of Companies,he has been disqualified as a Director from March 17,2010 to March 16,2017. The RoC has cited Section 7 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act,1986,which deals with disqualification procedures and reasons for a director of an insolvent firm,for barring Patel.