New Delhi: Dubbing questions over expenditure on Commonwealth Games as "ridiculous", Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy on Friday said focus should be shifted to celebrations and highlighting of aspects like the "wonderful" stadia that have been built for the mega event.
"It is true that there are some delays in the preparation for CWG. We welcome all constructive criticism from the media and other common carriers. It is welcome and we learn from such criticisms," said Reddy, who heads the Group of Ministers set up on the Games.
"There is a ridiculous talk about the expenditure incurred on the Commonwealth Games," he said after inaugurating the Central Secretariat-Qutub Minar corridor of the Gurgaon Metro link here.
He was not specific but was apparently referring to party colleague Mani Shankar Aiyar and some others who have been raising questions over the funds spent on the Games being held here from October three.
Reddy asserted that all those who have indulged in "corrupt practices" in projects related to the Games "will not be spared at any cost".
"But I think time has come now for us to alter our popular mood and come for celebrating the Commonwealth Games," he said and appealed to the media to highlight the aspects of the "wonderful" world class stadia that have been built already.
On the expenditure incurred on the CWG, he referred to his statement in Parliament where said the Union Government has spent Rs 11,494 crore on Commonwealth Games related matters and the Government of Delhi has spent a total of Rs 16,000 crore on all infrastructure and other projects.
Reddy said the expenditure incurred on extension of Metro rail to various parts of the capital, on powerplants, roads and flyovers are being "unnecessarily, I should say, objectionably being debited into the Commonwealth Games account".
He assured all work is being done to ensure smooth games and "there cannot be success unless there is willful cooperation from every section of the people." PTI
