I Did Not Take Decisions Alone: Kalmadi
New Delhi, Mar 15: Sacked chairman of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi was today questioned by the CBI for the third time in connection with the alleged irregularities during the Games but he sought
New Delhi, Mar 15: Sacked chairman of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi was today questioned by the CBI for the third time in connection with the alleged irregularities during the Games but he sought to shift blame on CEO Jarnail Singh and other agencies.
He told the media that he was not the only one involved in the decision-making process.
Emerging from a nearly nine-hour long questioning by the CBI officials in relation to alleged irregularities during the Queen's Baton relay, Kalmadi said Jarnail Singh being the CEO of the Organising Committee and a government nominee should answer questions posed by investigating agencies.
This was the third time Kalmadi was questioned by the CBI with the first one being at his residence during December last year and the other on January 5 at the CBI headquarters.
CBI has filed two FIRs in the alleged irregularities related to hiring of London-based AM Films and AM Cars during the conduct of the QBR.
When asked whether Singh should also questioned, Kalmadi said "Definitely, I think, I am sure they will call him also."
He said Singh has been the CEO of the organizing committee and has been "involved" in the decision making process being head of Finance Committee, convener of finance sub-committee and part of Executive Board of the body.
"He (Singh) is the CEO. He has been sent by the Government. Mr Jarnail Singh is the chairman of the Finance Committee of the OC...convener of the finance sub committee which has four secretaries from the Government of India and he is the part of the executive board. So Jarnail Singh is part of every committee and all the FA heads report to him.
"He looks after all the administration...He will also look into the timing and scoring results. Jarnail Singh has done a good job and he is involved," Kalmadi said.
When asked about inflated rates at which overlays were hired, Kalmadi said there were Finance Committee and Sub-committee, which has four secretaries of the government, involved in the decision making process.
"Suresh Kalmadi has not taken decision any decision alone," he told reporters.
The former OC chief also said budget of Organising Committee was "just five per cent of total Games budget" and there were other agencies, including the Delhi Government's, were involved in the conduct of games.
"There were other government agencies involved in the conduct of the Games. Delhi Government's agencies were involved. They should also be questioned. The games were not only of the OC. Many factors were there," Kalmadi said.
He said "nothing incriminating has been found" during the searches at his premises and lockers.
"Everything is as per I declared in Income Tax returns and Wealth Tax," he said.
Kalmadi said he was satisfied with the CBI probe and would cooperate in whatever way possible.
"I am ready to come here everyday. I have told the CBI that I will fully cooperate with the CBI or any other investigating agency. Accordingly I have come here today and I have given all answers to the best of my satisfaction. I have nothing more to say," he said. PTI
He told the media that he was not the only one involved in the decision-making process.
Emerging from a nearly nine-hour long questioning by the CBI officials in relation to alleged irregularities during the Queen's Baton relay, Kalmadi said Jarnail Singh being the CEO of the Organising Committee and a government nominee should answer questions posed by investigating agencies.
This was the third time Kalmadi was questioned by the CBI with the first one being at his residence during December last year and the other on January 5 at the CBI headquarters.
CBI has filed two FIRs in the alleged irregularities related to hiring of London-based AM Films and AM Cars during the conduct of the QBR.
When asked whether Singh should also questioned, Kalmadi said "Definitely, I think, I am sure they will call him also."
He said Singh has been the CEO of the organizing committee and has been "involved" in the decision making process being head of Finance Committee, convener of finance sub-committee and part of Executive Board of the body.
"He (Singh) is the CEO. He has been sent by the Government. Mr Jarnail Singh is the chairman of the Finance Committee of the OC...convener of the finance sub committee which has four secretaries from the Government of India and he is the part of the executive board. So Jarnail Singh is part of every committee and all the FA heads report to him.
"He looks after all the administration...He will also look into the timing and scoring results. Jarnail Singh has done a good job and he is involved," Kalmadi said.
When asked about inflated rates at which overlays were hired, Kalmadi said there were Finance Committee and Sub-committee, which has four secretaries of the government, involved in the decision making process.
"Suresh Kalmadi has not taken decision any decision alone," he told reporters.
The former OC chief also said budget of Organising Committee was "just five per cent of total Games budget" and there were other agencies, including the Delhi Government's, were involved in the conduct of games.
"There were other government agencies involved in the conduct of the Games. Delhi Government's agencies were involved. They should also be questioned. The games were not only of the OC. Many factors were there," Kalmadi said.
He said "nothing incriminating has been found" during the searches at his premises and lockers.
"Everything is as per I declared in Income Tax returns and Wealth Tax," he said.
Kalmadi said he was satisfied with the CBI probe and would cooperate in whatever way possible.
"I am ready to come here everyday. I have told the CBI that I will fully cooperate with the CBI or any other investigating agency. Accordingly I have come here today and I have given all answers to the best of my satisfaction. I have nothing more to say," he said. PTI