No lessons learnt from CYG,says CAG report

The Organising Committee lost the opportunity to learn and test its preparedness for Delhi 2010 and consequently repeated its mistakes in key functional areas in technology,ticketing,sponsorships,merchandising,press operations,catering and accommodations.

The Organising Committee lost the opportunity to learn and test its preparedness for Delhi 2010 and consequently repeated its mistakes in key functional areas in technology,ticketing,sponsorships,merchandising,press operations,catering and accommodations,” says the 22-page chapter in the Performance Audit Report on CWG 2010 and draws the roots of the most infamous sporting scam in the country to the city. Chapter 27 titled Organisation of commonwealth Youth Games- 2008,Pune,points out how a three-star hotel was constructed on a plot located in a public-semi-public land use zone. The commercial use of the land was not permitted.

“The proposal to change land use to commercial was moved to the Government of Maharashtra on grounds of urgent work. This was approved by the then Chief Minister in October 2007,” the report says. After pointing out severe flaws in the tendering process,the report states,”On such land,apart from sporting facilities,only schools,colleges,universities and other public requirements such as markets,social welfare or cultural organisations can be built.”

The report also mentions the sub-standard and delayed procurement of equipment. After examining 63 contracts worth Rs 81.55 crore,the report said in 16 of the cases,orders were placed directly without tendering. In three cases,contracts were awarded to firms having no expertise in the area. In various cases under the procurement of equipment,the report mentions avoidable expenditure of Rs 1.87 crore,besides sub-standard scoreboards of Rs 4.97 crore. Commenting on awarding the contract under venue development of Balewadi Sports complex,the report mentions an over- payment of Rs 4.57 crore to the project management consultants.

With detailed photographs,the report points out how certain structures in the complex were below standard and how the defect liability period in landscaping contract was reduced to one year from five years,resulting in the sorry state of the venue within two years from the Games.

Road development works worth Rs 434.22 crore and Rs 312.14 crore were approved under JNNURM in PMC and PCMC. In addition,PMC and PCMC had also spent Rs 15 crore and Rs 132.06 respectively for other developmental projects.

The report says that only 12 out of 23 was complete at the time of CYG. Four were completed later and BRTS component of Rs 32.67 crore was not even contracted besides zero development of area traffic control work. One out of 12 terminal works were complete.

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories