Gill shoots down Aiyar's proposal; face-off continues

Sports Minister M S Gill on Thursday rejected a proposal from his predecessor Mani Shankar Aiyar to appoint a committee headed by the former, to oversee the conduct of Commonwealth Games, but assured the Rajya Sabha that the Government will take "all actions against” corruption related to the CWG. HT reports.

Sports Minister M S Gill on Thursday rejected a proposal from his predecessor Mani Shankar Aiyar to appoint a committee headed by the former, to oversee the conduct of Commonwealth Games, but assured the Rajya Sabha that the Government will take "all actions against” corruption related to the CWG.

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But on Thursday, the Rajya Sabha witnessed Aiyar and Gill taking subtle digs at each other, even as members, cutting across party lines, voiced concern over the Games.

Aiyar made the demand for an apex committee, headed by Gill, to oversee the functioning of the Games, "in view of the patent failure to deliver untainted and clear Games.” CPI (M)'s Brinda Karat also recommended a committee, like the one headed by Rajiv Gandhi, for the conduct of the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.

Aiyar said Gill, who was "happily brought in” after he was "happily removed” from the post of sports minister, should lead such a committee. He made the demand during a question on CWG in the House.

Gill said Aiyar "has vast international experience” but that he possesses "administrative judgement.”

"If more committees could solve the problem of the country, we could have 10 more, but that is not a solution.”

However, Gill assured that it will look into the charges of corruption in the Commonwealth Games projects in the national capital but ruled out setting up of an apex committee to oversee the Games.

Referring to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)'s findings, he said agencies must speed up action and "catch whoever is responsible.”

The CVC has found serious discrepancies in various Games-related construction works.