Despite gag,Aiyar raises CWG issue in RS

After raising a controversy with his unsavoury remarks on Commonwealth Games Aiyar today said he has been asked to keep mum on the issue and that he would speak about it only after October 15 when the event gets over.

“Now that everybody is talking about it,I think,now I do not need to say anything more and I have promised that I will keep my mouth shut because somebody asked me to do so as they will successfully organise Commonwealth Games. Now,I will open my mouth on October 15,” Aiyar told reporters.

He maintained that his criticism of the Commonwealth Games 2010 was nothing new and he had taken this stand since the last two years. He wondered why there was a “hue and cry” on the issue two days back.

“I am very delighted that what I have been saying for such a long time,now the whole country is aware of it,” he said.

When asked if he would stick to his stand,Aiyar shot back,”Have you ever seen me not sticking to my stand?” Taking a dig at Indian Olympic Association head Suresh Kalmadi for calling him ‘anti-national’,Aiyar said,”Whoever has said this,his talks are a matter of jest.”

He denied that party high command had passed a gag order against him.

“High Command has not told me anything. This is my own decision that when my views on the issue are being heard in all households,then what is the need to issue more statements,” he said.

Aiyar asked in RS whether the Commonwealth Organising Committee has agreed to reimburse the government from revenues generated by ticket sales,sponsorship and advertising.

Gill replied in affirmative and also stated that the,”the expected revenue generation as estimated by the Organising Committee is Rs 1708 crore.”

Gill said the OC is likely to incur expenses of Rs 2394 crore but the government’s contribution would be known only after “final settlement of accounts”.

Asked by Aiyar how much the Government had initially sanctioned for the Games when the Indian Olympic Association made the bid for the Games in 2003,Gill said,”The IOA had estimated in 2003,an expenditure of Rs 655 crore for organising the Commonwealth Games. The present estimates for organising the Commonwealth Games have been reflected at Rs 11,494 crore.”

Replying to a question from another MP on the delay in completion of work for infrastructure development,Gill said,”Corrective measures by way of increased workforce and intensive monitoring have been taken. The projects of sports infrastructure will be completed well before the Games.”