Aiyar raises queries on Commonwealth Games in Rajya Sabha
Mani Shankar Aiyar just cannot stop talking about the Commonwealth Games and after openly praying that the event ends up a disaster, the former Sports Minister today asked pointed questions in the Rajya Sabha on the expected revenues from the extravaganza here.
The Congress MP, who created a furore by saying that he would be unhappy if the Games are a success, today asked Sports Minister M S Gill about the revenues likely to be generated from it and whether the money earned would be able to cover up for the cost.
He asked whether the Commonwealth Organising Committee has agreed to reimburse the government from revenues generated by ticket sales, sponsorship and advertising.
Gill replied in affirmative and also stated that the, "the expected revenue generation as estimated by the Organising Committee is Rs 1708 crore."
Gill said the OC is likely to incur expenses of Rs 2394 crore but the government's contribution would be known only after "final settlement of accounts".
Asked by Aiyar how much the Government had initially sanctioned for the Games when the Indian Olympic Association made the bid for the Games in 2003, Gill said, "The IOA had estimated in 2003, an expenditure of Rs 655 crore for organising the Commonwealth Games. The present estimates for organising the Commonwealth Games have been reflected at Rs 11,494 crore."
Replying to a question from another MP on the delay in completion of work for infrastructure development, Gill said, "Corrective measures by way of increased workforce and intensive monitoring have been taken. The projects of sports infrastructure will be completed well before the Games."
