New Delhi: The Shunglu Committee has found
irregularities in the appointment of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor as an international consultant to advise Commonwealth
Games Organising Committee about host of activities related to
the sporting event.
The Committee has found that "prices were dictated" at
Tharoor's term for his engagement with the Games organising
body.
"In the case of catering consultant Ajay Grover and in
case of another consultant Shashi Tharoor, prices were
dictated at their terms," the Shunglu Committee noted in its
fifth report on the OC which was submitted to the Prime
Minister's Office.
The report said Tharoor charged USD 30,000 (approximately
Rs 13 lakh) as attendance fees for 12 days during September
2008 and January 2009.
It cited a copy of a letter written to an OC functionary,
dated July 25, 2008 purportedly from Tharoor indicating his
fees as USD 2,500 per day, local travel arrangements, first
class air travel, 5 star hotel accommodation including all
facilities.
Accordingly, a proposal was made by Ramesh Babu, one of
the OC office bearers, on July 28, 2010 for consideration.
The Executive Management Committee had on July 31, 2008
approved appointment of Tharoor accepting all his conditions
to advise OC concerning engaging the city, national and
international communities from time to time along with
Chairman of Organising Committee CWG 2010.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, June 19, 2011, 14:21