Corruption charges cloud Jharkhand National Games

Ranchi, Feb 16 (ANI): The organizers of the ongoing 34th National Games in Jharkhand are facing corruption charges over equipment purchases and construction contracts.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised objections on several purchases and deals by the National Games Organising Committee, and the State Vigilance Department has also chipped in.

Jharkhand Wrestling Association Secretary Bhola Nath Singh alleged that funds meant for purchase of equipments and building infrastructure have been siphoned off.

He has also filed an FIR with the state's vigilance department to look into the matter.

"Look, the main corruption has happened in buying equipment. The VVIP guest house has been made worth one and a half crore rupees without passing a tender. Squash court in Dhanbad has been made worth around one and a half crore when a squash court can be made in an estimate of 40-45 lakh rupees," said Singh.

"The bad condition of the squash court can be seen by you. I have registered an FIR and I have full faith in the government that it would bring out the real culprits," he added.

A team headed by RK Anand, the National Games Organising Committee secretary, however defended the organisers, saying that all the tenders were passed with the knowledge of state authorities.

"As simple as that point, the whole thing was done by the government. I have got the evidence to show that the organising committee was constituted in 2008 whereas all the purchases were made in 2007," said Anand.

According to media reports, the catering contract was allotted to a New Delhi-based caterer, violating bidding norms, and incurring a loss of Rs 2.8 crores.

According to CAG reports, an event management company, has already pocketed Rs 1.73 crores as a mobilisation advance, despite the company being blacklisted by the National games Organising Committee. By Girija Shankar Ojha (ANI)