Krishna says he was `taken aback` by Aus on CWG payments

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said he was "taken aback" when Kevin Rudd raised the issue of non-payment of dues to companies for Commonwealth Games-related work during their bilateral meeting in Melbourne recently.

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said he was "taken aback" when his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd raised the issue of non-payment of dues to companies for Commonwealth Games-related work during their bilateral meeting in Melbourne recently.

"Yes, I was taken aback," Krishna admitted when asked if he was taken aback after Australia had raised the issue with him.He said he was glad that new Sports Minister Ajay Maken was looking into the issue and has announced his intention of taking action within 10 days. Rudd had taken up the issue with Krishna during their bilateral talks last week and the latter promised to deal with the issue on his return to New Delhi.According to reports, the Australian companies are preparing a lawsuit against the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee which allegedly owes millions of dollars to the firms. PTI