The sports ministry has published the financial estimates and approvals of expenditure for the Commonwealth Games on its website www.yas.nic.in,putting the total cost of hosting the event at about Rs10,445cr ($2.27bn). Of that,Rs 2,307cr is in the form of loans to the Organising Committee for the conduct of the Games and overlays costs,while another Rs 187crore have been given to Prasar Bharti for host broadcasting. We have put up details on the website to increase transparency. People should know where and how money is being spent, said Rahul Bhatnagar,joint secretary in the ministry. The Government of India has approved all but Rs 697crore of the estimated cost. The remaining amount,which has to be given to the OC for overlays,is in the process of approval. Approximately,Rs 1,800crore of the expenditure is non-planned,a big chunk of which is what has been given to the OC.
