| NEW
DELHI: The government has stepped up the budget for the Commonwealth Games (CWG),
doubling it to Rs 16.20 billion over its original allocation of Rs 7.67 billion.
The Union Cabinet,
in its meeting today, approved this enhancement as "loan to the Organising
Committee (OC)" of the CWG at the prevailing government rate of interest
after the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry brought to its notice "some things"
that had not been provided for in the initial budget. The
Cabinet was informed that against the approved revised estimates of Rs 16.20 billion,
the OC is expected to generate a revenue of about Rs 17.08 billion.
The
XIX Commonwealth Games will be held from 3 to 14 October in New Delhi next year,
spread over 17 sporting disciplines. In addition to these sports disciplines,
competitions will also be held for Elite Athletes with Disability (EAD). Briefing
the media about the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika
Soni said the factors that contributed to the increase included "inclusion
of new items that are essential for the successful delivery of the CWG" but
were not provided for in the initial budget, such as Accreditation; City Operations;
Sponsorship and Television Rights; Security; Sustainability and Environment; and
Ticketing.
Another factor is the change in the scope of the work and cost
escalation in respect of Accommodation; Catering; Opening and Closing Ceremonies;
Protocol and CGF Relations; Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR); Rent for Office of
OC; Communications, Image and Look; Technology. Risk Management-Insurance; and
Technical Conduct of Sports. The
OC is responsible for the conduct and delivery of CWG- D 2010. The activities
of the OC covers 34 functional areas, including Accreditation, Games Family, Opening
and Closing Ceremonies, Publicity, Reception, Results, Management, Sponsorship,
Stay and Transportation of sportspersons, Technical Conduct of the Games, Ticketing,
etc. All activities during the operational phase of the Games will be managed
by the organising committee. | 
