Kalmadi tells OC officers to wind up work

NEW DELHI: The CBI might be finally asking him questions, but Suresh Kalmadi is pretty unfazed. Directly contravening the Centre's "stay put" order to senior Organising Committee staff, Kalmadi has asked all functional heads to quickly wind up work so that they can be relieved of duties.

In an office order dated December 23 issued in his capacity as OC chairperson, Kalmadi has quoted "budgetary constraints" to say that it has become necessary for all "functional areas and FA heads" be relieved of their responsibilities after completing inputs to audit teams, vendor payments, surrendering records and assets and venue handovers.

The irony of the fiscal argument is not lost on OC officials as the Commonwealth Games budget went up several times in the last couple of years itself while the committee under Kalmadi was accused of alleged corruption, cost overruns and sheer ineptitude.

While noting that employees should be available to the OC even after their services have been terminated, Kalmadi's communication has been marked to the ministry of sports -- the very same department that issued a terse directive on October 14, immediately after the Games got over, saying officials should not be relieved till further orders.

The recent order covers central officers deputed by cabinet secretariat whose tenures can be terminated only by the Centre besides OC's own appointees. While perhaps intended to signal that he is in command, the OC order has deepened doubts of sceptical officials over what Friday's CBI raids on Kalmadi, 72 days after the Games got over, would yield.

Soon after the stay put order, the group of ministers on CWG in its last meeting on October 18 completed the formality of extending the tenure of the OC and its officials. Since then, hundreds of junior and temporary staffers have left on completion of contracts but the top brass, including Kalmadi's close aides, have stayed on.

Sources said handing over photocopies of files to teams from CAG, CVC, CBI and the Shunglu committee is almost over and if Kalmadi's directive was to be implemented, FA heads should be leaving soon. FA heads are key operational figures overseeing functions like overlays, venues, administration, catering, ceremonies, accommodation, finance, accounts and technology.

Senior officials have also completed most of their audit functions and while those from the central government are keen to move on, it has been indicated to them that they could remain with the OC till the end of February when Shunglu committee is expected to complete its work.