RAJYA  SABHA 

Dr.  M.S .Gill , Union Minister of  Youth Affairs & Sports   made the following statement in the Rajya Sabha today in response to the calling attention motion tabled by Shri Kalraj Mishra , Shri Mahendra Mohan and Shri O.T.Lepcha MPs regarding preparations of Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

“The Commonwealth Games is a mega, multidisciplinary sporting event in which around 8000 sportspersons from the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth will participate in 17 sports disciplines.  The Commonwealth Games will be held in Delhi from 3^rd to 14^th October, 2010.

 The XIX Commonwealth Games were allotted to Delhi by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on 13^th November, 2003.  The Host City Contract (HCC), which is the governing document for the Games, and lays down the roles, responsibilities and obligations of all the parties, was signed in November, 2003.  The signatories to the HCC were the Government of India, Government of Delhi, CGF and IOA.

The Organizing Committee (OC), of the Commonwealth Games was constituted and registered as a society with the Registrar of Societies, Government of Delhi on 10^th February, 2005.  The OC thereafter became a signatory to the HCC.

In the overall scheme for the preparation for the Commonwealth Games the Sports infrastructure is to be developed by government agencies, and funded directly by the Government.  The responsibility for the Conduct and Delivery of the Games is of the OC.  For this purpose, the OC is funded upfront by the Government as a loan, to be recouped on the basis of revenue neutrality.  The development, upgradation and improvement of the city infrastructure, are to be done by the Government of Delhi, with support of the Government of India.

                        Out of the 17 sports disciplines of the Commonwealth Games, 9 will be held, in the stadia of the Sports Authority of India, 4 in the sports stadia of Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and 1 each at the venues of the Government of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi  University, and All India Tennis Association (AITA).  A table showing stadium-wise, the expected dates of completion are placed at Annexure.  The estimated cost of the Competition and Training venues is around Rs. 4,100 crores.  Financial sanctions for all the stadia, have been accorded, and work is progressing at a rapid pace.  The work on three stadia namely Dr. SPM Swimming Complex, Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, and the Cycling Velodrome, had a delayed start due to some design issues.  All possible measures are being taken, including increase in number of supervisory staff and labour, increase in working hours, deployment of additional machinery, close monitoring of procurement of special and critical items.  The Group of Ministers constituted for the Commonwealth Games, reviews the progress every week.  The stadia will be completed in time for the Commonwealth Games, to be held in October, 2010.

            The OC is responsible for the Conduct and Delivery of the Games, which includes all logistical and stay arrangements for about 8000 sportspersons, as well as all arrangements for the technical officials and media persons. The OC is also responsible for the technical conduct of the sports, sponsorship, ticketing, merchandizing, ceremonies etc.  The Government has sanctioned a budget of Rs. 1620 crores for the OC. In September, 2009, the President, CGF, expressed some concerns related to the capacity of the OC, to deliver operationally.          On the occasion of the Launch of the Queen’s Baton in London in October, 2009 these matters were discussed between the President, CGF and the Chairman, OC, in the presence of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, and they were resolved amicably to the satisfaction of both CGF and OC.  A joint statement affirming this was issued thereafter.  In order to strengthen the internal management and financial administration of the OC, at the request of chairman, OC, a Retired Secretary to Government of India was posted to the OC as Chief Executive Officer in October, 2009.  Three other senior serving officers, including a Finance expert were also made available to the OC.  All the officers have joined and are functioning.

The Games Village is being developed near Akshardham Temple by the DDA, on Public Private Partnership model.  The work is being closely monitored by the Ministry of Urban Development.  The work is well on schedule and will be completed in time. 

            The development and upgradation of the city infrastructure, is the responsibility of the Government of Delhi.  Major upgradation works have been planned, and are under implementation, including the Barapulla Nala Elevated Corridor, which will provide a quick access for sportspersons from the Games Village to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.  The Chief Minister of Delhi, is carefully monitoring these works, and addressing issues as they arise.  The GOM also reviews these works regularly.  The wide range of city development works including augmentation of road, metro and other transportation, and communication networks, traffic management system, will leave a lasting legacy after the Games.

            The Government is investing substantial amounts for the upgradation of the various stadia to be used for the Games.  These stadia will become state of art venues of International standard.  A revenue generation mechanism, is being evolved, which will ensure the upkeep and maintenance of these facilities at optimum levels, and at the same time their use for sports activities after the Games.

            The Ministry of Tourism is also working on making available adequate accommodation for the visitors during the Games.  Taking into account the current availability of hotel rooms in the NCR, an additional requirement of 30,000 rooms has been estimated by the Ministry of Tourism.  Apart from the additional hotel accommodation being developed in Delhi and NCR, guest houses are being upgraded, and housing units of DDA, will be operated as guest houses.  Together with the Bed and Breakfast establishments in the city, the requirement of additional rooms for the Commonwealth Games should be met. A Task Force under Secretary, Tourism, is monitoring the availability of  hotel accommodation.

            The Prasar Bharti has been designated as the Host Broadcaster for the Games.  The latest technology will be used for broadcasting during the Games.  For the first time in the history of the Commonwealth Games, the entire transmission will be in High Definition TV (HDTV) format.  Prasar Bharti has already engaged a top level international consultant, for the Production and Coverage and is in the process of engaging the Consultant for the International Broadcasting Centre.  The work is being done under the close supervision of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

            Security during the Games is a matter of utmost importance.  Ministry of Home Affairs and the LG of Delhi are closely monitoring all the security arrangements for the Games.  An Empowered Security Committee headed by Home Secretary, regularly reviews the security schemes and arrangements for the Games.  A Comprehensive Security Plan has been drawn up, which incorporates Venue Emergency Management Plan, Disaster Recovery Plan, Transport Security Plan, Airspace Surveillance and Protection Plan.  A fully integrated Venue Surveillance Scheme, is being developed along with a Secure Security Communications System.  Ministry of Home Affairs has held security briefing of High Commissioners of Commonwealth Countries on 9^th September, 2009, and a Security Administrators Conference was held in Delhi on 23^rd September 2009, to apprise the representatives of the countries, with the security arrangements for the Games.  Ministry of Home Affairs and the LG of Delhi are taking all necessary measures to ensure, that the Games are completely incident-free, and are conducted in a safe and secure environment. 

To improve the performance of our athletes in the Commonwealth Games, for the first time, the government has approved in June, 2008 a Scheme at a cost of Rs 678 Crores for the comprehensive training and coaching of athletes.  1064 core athletes of the 17 sports discipline have been selected and are undergoing intensive training and exposure.  158 Indian and 24 Foreign Coaches of the highest caliber have been engaged for their training, alongwith 70 other support personnel including, sports analysts, sports medicine doctors and physiotherapists.  Teams are being sent regularly on visits abroad for training and competitions.  It is expected that with these measures our sportspersons will do very well in the Commonwealth Games. 

            Finally I would like to assure the House that the Government of India and the Organizing Committee are fully committed to complete all preparations for the Games in good time and to train our athletes for a good performance.”

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RM