New Delhi: A day after Jaipal Reddy, who heads the Empowered Group of Ministers on the Commonwealth Games (CWG) quoted CWG Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi as saying that the armed forces were levying charges to the tune of Rs 11 crore, out of which Rs 10 crore was towards accommodation expenses, CNN-IBN has got access to a Defence Ministry document which contradicts the claim.
The document shows that no money was ever paid to the Army. Instead, the OC paid directly to civilian contractors to customise the NCC and parade camp complexes. Sources in the Army say that it never demanded Rs 10 crore as claimed by Kalmadi.
On Friday, CNN-IBN had shown the copy of a letter written by Jaipal Reddy to AK Antony asking for free accommodation for artistes who will perform during the opening and closing ceremony of the Games.
And although the Army maintains that the OC will have to pay allowances to its men, it does not include rental for parade camp complexes, which is Rs 27 lakh, as mentioned in Reddy's letter.
Now, the Defence Ministry has decided to waive off that fee. Moreover, it has also exempted the OC from paying Rs 30 lakh for the uniform worn by band members.
Sources say that OC will have to continue paying the Army personnel as per the June 15 agreement between Ministry of Defence and the OC.
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