CWG scam contributed to India''s slide in corruption index

New Delhi, Oct 27 (PTI)In the wake of reports that India has slid three ranks on the corruption index, BJP today alleged the huge "scam" in the Commonwealth Games had contributed to it and reiterated its demand for a JPC probe to bring out the truth. "The Commonwealth Games were expected to improve the prestige of the country. But India has gone down three rungs to 87th place in the Corruption Index. This has happened due corruption in Commonwealth Games," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said. Transparency International's latest report on Corruption Index places India at the 87th place. BJP maintained that truth can come out in the CWG scam only if a Joint Parliamentary Committee probes it. "The V K Shunglu Committee and the Prime Minister should take cognizance of this report. As we have said earlier, without a JPC probe it will not be possible to bring out the whole truth," he said. Asked if BJP felt the Prime Minister's office was involved in allowing corruption in CWG projects, he said "if Sheila Dikshit and Suresh Kalmadi were guilty of commission, then PMO is definitely guilty of ommission," Javadekar said. Alleging that the GOM for CWG and the committee of bureaucrats formed for the purpose of overseeing the Games preparations were also guilty, he said adding they held several rounds of meetings to discuss the issues. Some of the appointments were made directly by the PMO, he added. "All political players involved in corruption should also be investigated," he maintained. The Rajya Sabha MP had recently written a letter to the Prime Minister suggesting that the Shunglu Committee should be "serviced" by the Cabinet Secretariat and not the Sports Ministry as the latter is one of the "accused". BJP also suggested Prasar Bharti CEO B S Lalli come out with the "whole truth" about allotment of broadcasting contract to SIS Live, a UK-based company, for CWG coverage. Asked if BJP would support an impeachment motion in Parliament against Lalli, the party said its central leadership will take a call on the issue if and when required.PTI RC

(source:/ibnlive.in.com)