Shunglu meets PM, discusses CWG probe

NEW DELHI - Former comptroller and auditor general (CAG) V.K. Shunglu, who is heading a committee probing alleged financial irregularities in the just- concluded Commonwealth Games, Saturday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

“He met the prime minister,” said an official in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) but refused to give any details.

According to sources, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T.K.A. Nair and Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar were also present.

This is the first meeting of Shunglu with the prime minister after his appointment.

Manmohan Singh had constituted the high-level committee Oct 15 to probe allegations of corruption surrounding the mega sporting event, which was from start riddled with controversies.

The committee has been mandated to fix responsibility of the main actors, political as well as those holding positions in the Organising Committee, whose failure to discharge key roles assigned to them almost led to the Games being called off.

The Shunglu inquiry will, however, look to speak to relevant officials and examine decision-making processes to see whether allegations that delays were deliberate and if the tendering processes were faulty. This would establish the culpability for the mess the Oct 3-14 Games were in before the Congress leadership stepped in to rescue a swiftly sinking enterprise.

The committee will submit its report to the prime minister within three months.

Since the committee has come into existence, there have been Income Tax raids and the Enforcement Directorate also swung into action by filing cases against the CWG Organising Committee officials.