TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Congress has demanded a CBI probe into what it called a serious scam of between Rs 50 crore to Rs 100 crore in the Lusofonia Games. It also demanded an inquiry into the role played by IAS officer Keshav Chandra, the Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar as well as other officials dealing with financial matters or approvals of the Lusofonia Games.
Alleging that there were various wrongdoings in various transactions and tenders, the Congress spokesperson Durgadas Kamat, threatening to file a complaint within a week, alleged that there was a loss suffered by the State in procurement of medals, the opening and closing ceremonies as well as vehicle hiring.
“I asked for details of medals procured for the Games under RTI. I was not given any details,” Kamat said adding that he had found from his sources that while the government had spent Rs 6,500 per medal, he knew of three tried and tested companies who would give medals at 10% of the price.
“There is one company from Delhi which supplies medals to Asian championships. Each medal is not costing more than Rs 500. The second one is from Mumbai. This one already supplies to the directorate of Sports. The cost per medal is not more than Rs 400. The third company is from Bangalore. The cost of medals is not more than Rs 600,” Kamat said, arguing that instead the contract was given to one India Government Mint, Alipore, Kolkata for Rs 6,500 per medal.
“Why were the other companies not considered,” he asked.
Kamat has also made an allegation saying that according to an RTI he was told that Chandra and another lady officer had travelled to the Mint apparently at their own cost. “Even a child would know that no government servant will travel at his/her own cost for work,” he said. According to the Congress there was also a ‘gotala’ in the opening and closing ceremonies wherein a RTI reply on May 25 on the issue of payments, he was told that files were under submission while in an unstarred question on March 7, the total estimate for the ceremonies was given as Rs 22.47 crore.
Also there was information given that Rs 11.86 crore odd was the payment done.
“What are they trying to hide,” Kamat asked arguing that the BJP should have no objection in asking the CBI to investigate given that its government was in power at the Centre.
“We don’t mind. Let the CBI investigate. I don’t trust the Goa police,” he argued.
The allegations
Taxis booked from Jan 13 till Jan 31 – 19 days. Actual games started on Jan 19 Congress asks: Why were cars hired from 13th when there was an official communication that players would be coming from January 18th?
Total estimate for opening closing ceremonies – More than Rs 22 crore.
Congress says: Cost is not less than Rs 6-7 crore
Medals cost Rs 6,500 each Congress says: Should not be more than Rs 400 to 600
Track at Peddem & Nehru stadium upgradation Congress says: Synthetic track at Peddem laid by black listed firm. Rs 48 crore for upgradation of Jawaharlal Nehru stadium is ridiculous. Has to be investigated.
