Official audit of Commonwealth Games accounts in 90 days

NEW DELHI - An official, confidential audit of the accounts and financial activities related to the just-concluded Commonwealth Games will be completed within 90 days and presented to parliament immediately thereafter, a top official said Monday.

For us to be of some practical utility, we have decided that if audit has to be of some consequence, we will complete it in three months’ time, India’s Comptroller and Auditor General of India Vinod Rai told a press conference here.

Huge amounts of money have been spent. It is going to be a gigantic task. The entire activity will involve at least 20 different institutions, Rai said, explaining the process his office will follow to ascertain how prudently the funds were used.

It is not an exercise like we do for other activities. If we do it over say six-eight months, the entire purpose will be lost. We have decided — and launched a programme — to use the IT platform and ensure results are available at the earliest possible time.

Rai’s comments came against the backdrop of the government announcing a committee to look at the organisation and conduct of the Games in view of the complaints received earlier of irregularities extending giving contracts and the delays in execution.

Prime Minister Manohan Singh Friday set up the high-level committee headed by former comptroller and auditor general V.K. Shunglu to look into all matters relating to the conduct and organisation of the games.

He had also directed the concerned ministries to conduct thorough investigations into all the complaints that have been received of procedural and other irregularities and said that those found guilty should face severe and exemplary punishment.

Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi had also had come under fire in the run-up to the 12-day event - held here from Oct 3-14 - over allegations of delays and cost over-runs.