Shunglu panel prepares for first meeting

NEW DELHI - The first meeting of an inquiry committee probing alleged financial irregularities in the just-concluded Commonwealth Games will be held here Monday, an official said.

The panel is headed by former comptroller and auditor general V.K. Shunglu.

The committee’s deliberations Monday would be of preliminary nature, the official said, adding that other members of the committee were expected to be named within a couple of days.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appointed the Shunglu panel Oct 15 with a direction to conduct a thorough probe into allegations of corruption surrounding the Games. The report is to be submitted within three months.

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

The panel has been mandated to fix responsibility of the main actors, political as well as those holding positions in the CWG Organising Committee, for alleged corruption surrounding the sporting event.

The Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games faced allegations of corruption by opposition parties.