PMO denies ministers were pulled up on Games work

The Prime Minister's office today denied reports that Manmohan Singh had pulled up the Group of Ministers (GOM) in charge of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) for the delays and the shoddy work regarding the Games.

The Prime Minister's office (PMO) on Saturday denied reports that Manmohan Singh had pulled up the Group of Ministers (GOM) in charge of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) for the delays and the shoddy work regarding the Games.

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A statement issued by the PMO said, "Such reports are misleading".

The statement said: "The prime minister has seen reports in a section of the media that he 'pulled up' the Group of Ministers in charge of the Commonwealth Games. Such reports are misleading."

It added that the prime minister "appreciates the difficult job the GOM has on its hands". "He has been encouraging the ministers and officers concerned to work together extra time to make the Games a success."

Several media networks Friday reported that two senior ministers -- Sports Minister M.S. Gill and Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy -- were 'pulled up' by Manmohan Singh Thursday during a meeting he had called.

The reports said that Manmohan Singh denied permission to Gill to make a presentation on the Games. Instead, he suggested to Gill that "hands-on solutions" were needed now, the reports said.

Around 7,000 athletes and officials from 71 countries and territories are scheduled to attend the 12-day mega sports event.