GoM asks OC to sort out ticketing issue

The government today asked the Organising Committee (OC) of the Commonwealth Games "to get its act together" so that tickets for the event are made available to the people.

"We asked the OC to sort out the problems that have been reported in the media about the ticketing. There are many reports to this effect that some stadia are wanting in audience, while in others tickets are not available. So we told the OC to get their act together," Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy said after the Group of Ministers' (GoM) meeting on the Games.

Asked about the mechanism is being adopted on ticketing issue, Reddy said "Ticketing is a completely internal matter of the OC. The government at the Centre or Delhi government have nothing to do with this. They (OC) were told to have another look at it."

The GoM was attended by Sports Minister M S Gill, Tourism Minister Kumari Selja, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi among others.

Reddy, who is also the chairman of the GoM, said, "We endorse the approach of the culture team towards the closing ceremony. The closing ceremony cannot be the same as the open ceremony. It has to be necessarily different."

The creative team members Bharat Bala, Shyam Benegal and Prasun Joshi were also present during a presentation on the closing ceremony at the meeting.

Elaborating further, he said, "We do not want to raise the expectations of the people over the closing ceremony. There is always a risk inherent in raising expectations."

However, he said, "There would be more emphasis on music. It would still represent the cultural and traditional diversity of the society."

To a question whether the Games swimming pool water has got contaminated, he said, "no, those reports have been denied. The GoM was told that the swimming water is perfect."

Several swimmers have complained of being hit by a stomach bug which is being blamed on the pool water.