Dalits’ fund diverted for Commonwealth Games

From the Hindustan Times http://www.hindustantimes.com/SC-ST-funds-were-diverted/Article1-581958.aspx

The Delhi government has diverted million rupees meant for dalit welfare to fund preparations for the October Commonwealth Games, allege voluntary organizations.

Officials of Housing and Land Rights Network (HLRN) and National Campaign on Dalit and Human Rights (NCDHR) said the government diverted some 7,440 million rupees from the Special Component Plan (Scheduled Caste Sub Plan) to meet CWG-related expenses.

The allegation is based on the data provided by the Delhi government’s department for the welfare of SC/ST/OBC/Minorities in response to an Right to Information application, the Hindustan Times reported.

In the reply, details of the expenditure from the fund have been provided from the year 2006 to 2010 in a tabulated form.

“The diversion of funds is illegal. In the Planning Commission’s master guideline for the special component plan, the funds are non divertible and non lapsable,” said Miloon Kothari, executive director, HLRN.

Admitting that the government spent millions of rupees meant for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to fund preparations for the October Commonwealth Games, Delhi government officials said there was “nothing wrong in it”.

They said members of the reserved categories will eventually utilize the upcoming infrastructure projects and would benefit from them.

Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:00

Commonwealth Games Fail

Taken from: http://www.greenlightdhaba.org/2010/08/commonwealth-games-fail-is-corruption.html

Allegations of high level corruption and rumours of even darker things suggest there may be more at stake here than embarrassment. And pretending these problems don't exist will only make them worse!

Mani Shankar Aiyar stirred up the pot last week when he told reporters, "Personally, I will be unhappy if the Commonwealth Games are successful." Suresh Kalmadi, the head of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee promptly labeled Aiyar "anti-national."

Lost in the smoke of the Aiyar-Kalmadi tamasha was Aiyar's central point: the Games were a mistake from the start, and it might take an obvious failure--one that could not be glossed over or denied-- to prevent us from having to undergo a repeat of this fiasco in years to come. Kalmadi has made no secret of his desire to see India get the Olympics some day, but he seemed to understand that this would be a bad week to highlight that ambition; instead, he responded to Aiyar’s attack by attempting to change the subject.

Child Labor: See What OC is Doing: A Shame for Delhi Government

Thousands of crore may have been spent on setting up venues and the village for Commonwealth Games, but the men who actually lay the brick do not even get enough wages to afford one square meal for the family every day. A study by Child Relief and You (CRY) at the Siri Fort construction site has revealed 84% laborers are paid much less than the stipulated minimum wage of Rs 203 per day for unskilled workers.

According to CRY’s survey conducted over a period of two months at other sites like Dhyan Chand National Stadium, R K Khanna Stadium, Talkatora Stadium, JLN Stadium and Lodhi Road, children of theseconstruction workers have to live in inhuman conditions. They go without quality food, safe drinking water, healthcare and formal schooling, the report says.

Vodafone's E-Rickshaws

Delhi today launched battery- operated rickshaws, sponsored by telecom major Vodafone Essar as part its eco-friendly initiative, ahead of the commonwealth games.

Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit flagged off the eco friendly vehicle, E-rick, each costing about Rs 1.5 lakh.

In the first phase, the company will sponsor 25 vehicles on five routes, including Chandni Chowk, Saket, IIT-SDA market area, GK-II and Delhi University-North Campus, Vodafone told reporters here.

E-rick is powered by batteries, aims to ensure reduction in carbon footprint with zero emission. This technology will reduce the dependence on conventional fuel, the company said.

"This initiative is a step forward in promoting green transportation for a cleaner and greener environment in the capital," Vodafone Essar-Delhi, CEO Sanjay Warke said.

Wednesday, 11 August 2010 15:55

Commonwealth Games Campaign >>

Dalits’ fund diverted for Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games Fail

Child Labor: See What OC is Doing: A Shame for Delhi Government

Vodafone's E-Rickshaws

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