By IANS
New Delhi : The Commonwealth Games to be held here in 2010 will cost the country a staggering Rs.264 billion, the parliament was informed Thursday.
“We have allocated Rs.6,400 crore (Rs.64 billion) for creating and improving infrastructure for the games. Another Rs.20,000 crore (Rs.200 billion) will be spent on improving facilities in the city, including the metro,” Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said during question hour in the Rajya Sabha.
Aiyar also brushed aside suggestions of a tussle between his ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on the manner in which the games are to be conducted.
“There is a tussle between the sports ministry and the IOA. There is a tug-of-war going on. What action is being taken to ensure proper coordination?” Tarlochan Singh, an independent MP, asked while raising a supplementary.
“I can assure the honourable member that the one sport my ministry does not support is tug-of-war,” Aiyar replied as the entire house burst into laughter. The minister has previously gone on record as opposing the games, saying the money earmarked for the event could be better spent.
“We are well on the way to delivering an excellent Commonwealth Games. There are no areas in which adequate progress has not been recorded,” Aiyar said, adding: “There are a few problem areas and we will take two to three weeks to resolve these.
“This I promise you: We will deliver an excellent Commonwealth Games,” he said.