CWG probe: CBI to file FIR over irregularities in contracts

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing into alleged corruption in the conduct of Commonwealth Games by its Organising Committee will soon register an FIR over alleged irregularities in the award of contracts for laying of synthetic, wooden, glass surfaces for competition and training venues of a few sporting disciplines.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing into alleged corruption in the conduct of Commonwealth Games by its Organising Committee will soon register an FIR over alleged irregularities in the award of contracts for laying of synthetic, wooden, glass surfaces for competition and training venues of a few sporting disciplines.

HT Image

The agency suspects that the awards of some of these contracts - pertaining to lawn bowls, badminton and squash - were allegedly done in an irregular manner, favouring undeserving bidders. The cost of these contracts was over Rs 60 crore, according to an agency source.

The OC had in January last year issued an Expression of Interest - part of the tendering process - asking for quotes from bidders. For each sport, for which the laying of synthetic/wooden/glass surface was required, the EOI had asked the bidder/s to fulfil certain criteria.

"We are scrutinising the bidding process as to who had fixed the specifications for the tender(s) and under what circumstances it was done. We want to know who had finalised some of these contracts," said the official. He added that the relatives of a few OC officials were allegedly linked to a few bidders who are under the CBI scanner.

According to the EOI, for lawn bowls, the eligibility criteria for laying synthetic surfaces included approval from the international federation, suitability to the Indian weather conditions and the experience of having laid a minimum of 25 outdoor synthetic greens.

The eligibility criteria for laying synthetic surface for badminton included the laying of a particular type of court that was approved by the World Badminton Federation.

For laying of glass/wooden floor for squash courts, the eligibility criteria included approval from international federation, suitability to weather and the suitability of three specific brands.