CWG probe: Govt may sanction manpower to Shunglu panel

The Shunglu committee going into charges of corruption and procedural lapses in conduct of Commonwealth Games (CWG) and related projects may get additional manpower from the government to speed up the probe.

Sources said Chairman of the V K Shunglu has expressed concern over lack of executive rank staff to help him in compiling the data gathered from several civic and construction agencies across the country.

They said the two-member committee, which was expected to submit its report by tomorrow, has sought an extension from the Prime Minister Office.

Sources said the PMO is considering accepting the requests raised by the panel and grant them extra time as well as additional staff for necessary assistance.

At present, the Committee is carrying out its work from its office at Vigyan Bhawan with few staff, mainly drawn from the Sports Ministry.

Sources said the Committee would ask for an additional time of 10 to 30 days to submit its report.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had on October 25 last year appointed the committee and asked it to give its report within three months.

Former Secretary of Department of Personnel and Training, Shantanu Consul, is the second member of the panel.

Several projects done by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Public Works Department (PWD), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), RITES (a government of India enterprise), Sports Ministry, Urban Development Ministry and Games Organising Committee among others are under the scanner of enforcement, investigating and vigilance agencies for alleged bunglings.

The Committee has sought help from people to share any information on CWG which could be of some help to it.

The Central Vigilance Commission is enquiring into over 30 complaints related to alleged corruption in CWG works carried out by different civic and construction agencies.

In a related move today, Games OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi and Secretary general Lalit Bhanot have been removed from their posts to facilitate impartial multi agency probe into the corruption charges.