Govt increases monetary support for Delhi CWG

Hit by delays and escalating cost of infrastructure, the 2010 Commonwealth Games received a massive monetary boost on Thursday with the central government allocating Rs 1620 crore as loan to the Organising Committee of the event.

"The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for providing a revised budget of Rs 1620 crore, as loan to the Organising Committee of Commonwealth Games 2010, at the prevailing government rate of interest, for organising the CWG at Delhi during October 3 to 14. Budget approved earlier was Rs 767 crore," Information and Broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said.

Elaborating on the reasons for the budgetary hike, Soni said the rising cost of the opening and closing ceremonies, the increase in the number of days for Queen's Baton Relay – from 136 to 240 days for the international leg and from 60 to 100 days for the domestic leg - were among the reasons that forced the increased allocation.

"Inclusion of new items that are essential for the successful delivery of the Games but were not provided in the initial budget of the OC, namely accreditation, city operations, sponsorship and TV rights, security, sustainability and environment and ticketing, has prompted the increased allocation" she said.

Cost escalation in respect of accommodation, catering, protocol and CGF relations, Queen's Baton Relay, rent for office of OC, communication, image and look technology, risk management, insurance and technical conduct of sports were also listed as reasons for the budgetary hike.

Besides, the Minister said, "the number of volunteers has gone up to nearly 30,000 and the cost of accreditation, catering, uniform etc on this account has also increased."

Soni said the OC is expected to generate revenue of about Rs 1708 crore from the Games.