CWG row stalls Lok Sabha

The issue of alleged corruption and irregularities in Commonwealth Games (CWG) projects rocked the Lok Sabha on Friday with opposition parties making a concerted attack on the government and not allowing Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy to respond. The House had to be adjourned before the lunch recess as the Treasury and Opposition benches engaged in a vociferous verbal duel. The Lok Sabha is likely to hold a full-fledged debate on this issue early next week.

The government will field M S Gill to reply to the debate next week while the Urban Development Minister will intervene,according to official sources.

During discussions raised by CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta during Zero Hour,JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav claimed expenditures on the Games touched Rs 1 lakh crore. “These Games are not even recognised. It is a game of slaves,” said Pawar. “People do not have pulses to eat and you talk about prestige of the country,” said SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav before staging a walkout. CPM’s Basudeb Acharia demanded a probe by a JPC.