India doubles budget for 2010 C'wealth Games
Hit by delays and escalating cost of infrastructure, the 2010 Commonwealth Games here received a massive budgetary boost today with the central government allocating Rs 1620 crore as loan to the Organising Committee of the event.
"The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for providing a revised budget of Rs 1620 crore, as loan to the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010, at the prevailing government rate of interest, for organising the CWG at Delhi during October 3 to 14. Budget approved earlier was Rs 767 crore," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The prime minister has assured Commonwealth countries that India will host a "spectacular show" after doubts were expressed about New Delhi's ability to have full preparedness before the games Oct 3-14, 2010.
The government hence decided to double the outlay from the present Rs.1,620 crore (Rs.16.2 billion/$344 million) from Rs.767 crore (Rs.7.67 billion, $163 million).
"The cabinet approved the proposal of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for providing a revised budget of Rs.1,620 crore, as loan to the Organising Committee (OC) of the Commonwealth Games, 2010, at the prevailing government rate of interest," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
Soni said the organising committee hoped that "against the approved revised estimates, it is expected to generate a revenue of about Rs.1,708 crore".
Delhi is hosting the 19th Commonwealth Games in 17 sporting disciplines. Competitions will also be held for Elite Athletes with Disability (EAD).
Elaborating on the reasons for the budgetary hike, she said rising cost of opening and closing ceremonies, the increase in the number of days for Queen's Baton Relay -- from 136 to 240 days for international leg and from 60 to 100 days for domestic leg -- were among the reasons that forced the increased allocation.
"Inclusion of new items that are essential for the successful delivery of the Games but were not provided in the initial budget of the OC, namely accreditation, city operations, sponsorship and TV rights, security, sustainability and environment and ticketing," she said.
Cost escalation in respect of accommodation, catering, protocol and CGF relations, Queen's Baton Relay, rent for office of OC, communication, image and look technology, risk management, insurance and technical conduct of sports were also listed as reasons for budgetary hike.
Besides, the Minister said, "the number of volunteers has gone up to nearly 30,000 and the cost of accreditation, catering, uniform etc on this account has also increased."
"The components of rent for OC headquarters 'Technology' which were practically 'nil' in the initial budget are now around Rs 175 crore and Rs 200 crore respectively," Soni said.
Soni said the OC is expected to generate revenue of about Rs 1708 crore from the Games.
The Games build-up has been mired in controversies with the Commonwealth Games Federation expressing concerns about the pace of preparations.
Things took an ugly turn when OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi asked for the transfer of CGF CEO Mike Hooper from Delhi, saying that he was an impediment to the Games' preparation.
The matter was resolved during the Queen's Baton Relay last month where Kalmadi and CGF chief Mike Fennell discussed the contentious issues and agreed to bury the hatchet.
