PM asks authorities to redouble efforts to finish CWG pending work

New Delhi, Aug.29 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Sunday urged all concerned authorities of the Commonwealth Games to redouble their efforts to quickly complete whatever works remained.

Dr. Singh, said, it was required "as the people were expecting a spectacular and flawless opening to the Commonwealth Games."

On Sunday morning, the Prime Minister visited the remodelled and reconstructed Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex, where the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games will be held.

He was shown various facilities including playing fields, media facilities, the royal box, stands for spectators, security and other arrangements.

Dr Singh's today's visit came as part of the series of steps he has taken to streamline and expedite the preparations for the October 3-14 mega event after it was rocked by a spate of corruption allegations.

Union Sports Minister M S Gill and Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi accompanied the Prime Minister who went around the stadium and saw for himself the facilities and the work being done. He spent over 20 minutes at the sports complex.

On Aug.14, Prime Minister Dr. Singh had convened a high-level meeting on to review the preparations for the Games, after being concerned by the delays and the corruption charges.

A committee of bureaucrats headed by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar was formed and given overriding powers by bringing into its ambit the Games Organising Committee that has been tainted following corruption allegations.

Observing that there have been "slippages" in time schedules and deficiencies noticed, the Prime Minister directed that a thorough probe should be held by the ministries concerned into complaints of "procedural and other irregularities" and "those found guilty should face severe and exemplary punishment".

The Commonwealth Games is a multinational, multi-sport event which features competitions involving thousands of elite athletes from members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The event was first held in 1930 under the title of the British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The event was renamed as the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954, the British Commonwealth Games in 1970, and gained its current title in 1978.

There are currently 54 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and 71 teams participate in the Games. (ANI)