Uproar in House over alleged diversion of SC/ST funds to CWG

Even before it could defend itself against the Opposition ire on price rise, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is bracing itself to face another attack in Parliament over alleged scams related to the Commonwealth Games (CWG), to be held in the national capital in October.

Soon after the Rajya Sabha was disrupted today over allegations of diversion of funds meant for the development of Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC/ST) towards projects for the October 3-14 Games, sources in the Opposition said they wanted to take up the issue on a priority basis. While the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) stalled the proceedings in the upper House, alleging diversion of the SC/ST funds, the main Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) joined the protests on ‘bungling’ in organising the sporting event.

Later, the CPI (M) came out with statistics to show glaring discrepancies between the renovation of CWG stadia and other stadia. Citing expenses from the Organising Committee’s own records, CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury said the cost incurred on renovating the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, National Stadium, Indira Gandhi Stadium, shooting ranges and the Siri Fort sports complex are Rs 961 crore, Rs 262 crore, Rs 669 crore, Rs 149 crore, Rs 241.32 crore, respectively.