Uproar in Lok Sabha over CWG scam; adjourned

The Lok Sabha on Friday witnessed uproar after the Opposition launched a joint attack on the government over the issue of alleged corruption and financial irregularities in the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Raising the issue, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, Janata Dal - United Chief Sharad Yadav, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal's Lalu Prasad challenged the government to clarify the whole controversy. 

Calling it a Rs one lakh crore scam, Mulayam Singh Yadav said, "There are several areas of corruption within the Commonwealth Games."

He further said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh must clarify matters related to the scam. Sharad Yadav also slammed the Congress party for ignoring the events concerning the Commonwealth Games.

Defending the government, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said, "The Commonwealth Games is the pride of the nation and any sort of corruption will not be tolerated by the government. He added that all these allegations would be probed.

Meanwhile, after strong protests over the issue, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.

On Thursday, Sports Minister M S Gill has said the central government will look into charges of corruption in the Commonwealth Games, but denied plans to set up an apex committee to monitor the Games.

"As far as corruption is concerned, government will take all possible action. I will write to the authorities, including the finance minister, and request him if there is anything," said Gill in the Rajya Sabha.

Referring to the Vigilance Commission's report of alleged irregularities in projects related to the Commonwealth Games, Gill said the agencies must speed up action and catch whoever is responsible.