Press Briefing Wednesday, 4th August 2010

Shri Manish Tewari addressed the media today.


On a question that centre must order independent enquiry into Commonwealth Games scam, Shri Tewari said that there are multiple stakeholders who are involved in the preparations for the Games. There is the DDA, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Sports Authority of India, Sports Authorities and Associations, PWD and the Organizing Committee of the Commonwealth Games. If at all, there are certain areas of concern which have emerged, either as a result of certain preliminary findings by the office of the CTE in the CVC or as a result of various stories which have been put out by the media; it is for that concerned organization to answer those averments. We are not saying that any process needs to be put on hold. After all whatever has emerged in the public space has emerged either from preliminary findings or as a result of some reports which have been put out in the media. It is for those organizations to respond to it. All that we are saying is kindly do not go into an overdrive. We have robust regulatory processes in the country. Those processes will hold individuals and organizations responsible if they have committed any act of omission and commission. We have in the next 59 days to deliver on the international obligation that we have undertaken.

To a question on the reaction of the Congress Party on the statement of Shri Suresh Kalmadi regarding the so-called scams in the organization of the Commonwealth Games and further question as to giving clean chit to CM Delhi, Sports Minister and Urban Development Minister, Shri Tewari said we have neither given a unclean chit or clean to anybody and I do not think that we are the authority who is possibly either in a position or empowered to deliver that verdict.

Shri Tewari further made it clear I am not making a value judgment on anybody’s statement and this answer is certainly in response to anything which Mr. Kalmadi may or may not have said. My colleague Mr. Shakeel Ahmad yesterday, possibly responding to a question contextualizing it in the manner he understood it, responded to it. Let me just amplify on that by saying that if at all any concerns have been raised statutorily or constitutionally will have to be answered and if the answers are found to be unsatisfactory and it triggers a certain kind of action, then obviously that action will have to be gone through. So, therefore, neither we are holding a brief for anybody or nor indicting anybody. All we are saying is that let the regulatory processes play their role. Simultaneously, let us go ahead and deliver on the international obligation that we have undertaken.

On the reaction of the Congress Party on the statement of Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar comparing Commonwealth Games with the Asian Games held in 1982, Shri Tewari said there is a difference between the circumstances prevailing in 1982 during the Asiad Games and that of today. The then Government at that time had taken certain decisions which they thought were right and the net result of such decisions was that the Asian Games were held very successfully. In today’s context, certain decisions have been taken which were considered appropriate; it is our duty to deliver on the international obligation that has been undertaken by us.

To a question whether Shri Kalmadi should resign, Shri Tewari said that there are various sports federations and they elect their office bearers from time to time. It is for the respective Sports Federations to take any such decision.

To a question with regard to the reaction of the Foreign Affairs Minister on an alleged forged e-mail, Shri Tewari said if there were certain things which were brought to the notice of the External Affairs Minister and he chose to convey the factual position to the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, I do not see any discrepancy in that. All I am saying is that we are not making value judgment one way or the other. There are institutions which are empowered to make that judgment and obviously they will keep on doing their work without any fear or favour. So allow them to come to whatever conclusion that they ought to come and then we would take a decision.

On the question whether does the Congress Party demand enquiry by an independent agency, Shri Tewari said is the CAG not independent? There is an inherent investigative function which is built into the audit oversight and if the CAG comes to certain conclusions whereby it finds that it merits further investigation does refer it to the appropriate agency.

On the reaction of the Congress party on the statement of the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Tewari said the effort of the leader of opposition to analyze the statement of the Finance Minister is not correct and is not desirable. We do not accept the said analysis. The Finance Minister has explained in detail the pressures on the economy and the steps taken by the Government to ensure providing relief to the poor people. While not targeting the State Governments, the Finance Minister talked about the collective responsibility of the State Governments. It should be taken in the right perspective.

On the question of GOM on caste consensus, Shri Tewari said I think we are in the process of crystallizing that and when that is done; I would definitely come back to you. I will have to check as to what exactly is the formulation that we have evolved. Shri Tewari further added that those are the matters of details as to whether it would be deliberated in the CWC or it would be deliberated in some other forum.



Tom Vadakkan
Secretary, AICC