India on Thursday ordered Commonwealth Games organisers to sort out differences with foreign contractors and sports bodies amid complaints and legal threats over millions of dollars in unpaid bills. New Sports Minister Ajay Maken told a news conference he has set a 10-day deadline for government officials in the organising committee of the October 3-14 event to settle all "legitimate" dues.
"I have directed the government nominees in organising committee to thoroughly verify the unpaid dues and make all the legitimate payments within 10 days," said Maken. Firms in Australia, Britain, France and Germany are among those owed money, officials in New Delhi told AFP, while national Commonwealth Games Associations have complained of missing refunds and travel subsidies. "It is a very important issue and I want it to be resolved as quickly as possible. If there is more delay, more problems could crop up," the sports minister added.
A legal battle is now looming with foreign firms seeking full payment for their services plus damages for delays with specialist equipment often taking months to get out of India because of procedural issues "Now we will check what is the position and what is the problem if there is one," Lalit Bhanot, secretary general of the organising committee, told AFP Thursday.
Ric Birch, the Australian impresario behind the opening and closing ceremonies, has instructed lawyers to launch a class action against the Delhi 2010 organisers. The Australian Commonwealth Games Association is owed more than $100,000 in travel subsidies, chief executive Perry Crosswhite said Thursday.
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