Under fire over allegations of financial irregularities, Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi admitted that there was no contract under which payments were made to a British company, which was roped in "at the last minute".
Kalmadi, who convened a press conference to clear the air, said the Indian High Commission had recommended the name of A M Films, a little known British company, and "if there is something wrong there, I am not responsible for it".
"There is no contract between the OC and A M Films which was roped in at the last minute only on the recommendation of the Indian High Commission in London", he said.
The OC is reported to have made a payment of nearly £2.5 lakh for video equipment purchase while A M Films has claimed that it provided services of car hire, makeshift toilets, barriers and electricity.
The press interaction came a day after a major scam hit the Commonwealth Games with reports that A M Films was given over £4.50 lakh without following any proper tendering procedure and there was no paper work.
Kalmadi claimed "every pie is accounted for" and threatened to initiate legal action against those who have maligned the OC's image with "totally unfounded and baseless" allegations.
Washing his hands off charges of irregularities in awarding contracts for construction of stadiums, which figure in the Central Vigilance Commission's report, he said OC was not in the picture.
Even as Kalmadi claimed there was "total transparency" in all the deals, Sports Minister M S Gill sent out a stern warning, saying "prompt and appropriate" action will be taken if any irregularities related to the mega event in October were brought to the Ministry's notice.
Noting that he was closely following media reports alleging irregularities, he said, "if anything comes to our notice which needs to be dealt with, then the officers must make sure that they deal with it promptly and appropriately".
Kalmadi sought to explain the last minute engagement of A M Films, saying the London authorities at a meeting on October 23 last year had said additional items like mobile video screens, portable toilets, ambulances, barricades etc had to be put in place for the Queen's Baton Relay on October 29.
"AM Cars and Vans a company empanelled by the High Commission of India in London was appointed for all the transportation requirement on the rates approved by the High Commission. Since AM Films was a sister company of AM Cars and Vans we went for it and that also on the rates recommended by the High Commission," he said waving a letter purportedly issued by the High Commission on October 13, 2009.
He said the money to AM Films Ltd was paid through bank transfer from Delhi with due approvals. The other items like mobile toilets, barricades etc were got through AM Cars and Vans, he said.
Asked about BJP's demand for a judicial inquiry into the scam, Kalmadi said, "I am okay with any judicial inquiry. It's government's call. I have not received any letter from any authority from India or England on the issue.
