New Delhi:
Jolted by corruption allegations in the Commonwealth Games, an embattled Suresh Kalmadi was on Monday forced to convene an emergency meeting of the Executive Board on Thursday following a demand from his own colleagues in the Organising Committee.
With some influential members in the OC mounting pressure on him, Kalmadi decided to call the meeting of the Executive Board to discuss the corruption issues which have rocked the October 3-14 sporting extravaganza.
"The meeting will be held on August 5. The notices have been sent to all the members", an Organising Committee source said.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), taking note of Central Vigilance Commission's report on rampant corruption, also shot off a letter to the OC asking it to ensure that all the venues for the October 3-14 mega-event obtain quality assurance certificates.
In a significant development, IOA Secretary General Randhir Singh called for an emergency meeting of the Organising Committee's Executive Board, saying the allegations were "grave".
In a letter to OC chairman Kalmadi, Randhir, who is also the OC Vice-Chairman, said the meeting should be called immediately considering the gravity of the allegations.
"In pursuance to media reports about financial irregularities alleged in the Queen's Baton Relay at the Buckingham Palace, since the situation is grave, the discussion should be held immediately," Randhir said in his letter.
Randhir was supported by OC treasurer Anil Khanna and IOA vice-president V K Malhotra, who also wanted an immediate meeting to discuss all the unsavory developments.
A major scam hit the CWG OC on Friday when it came to light that a little-known UK firm was paid lakhs of pounds for its "services" during the London leg of the Queen's Baton relay.
Kalmadi had admitted that there was no contract under which payments were made to the 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 AM Films, and "if there is something wrong there, I am not responsible for it".
The OC is reported to have made a payment of nearly 4.50 lakh pounds for video equipment purchase while AM Films has claimed that it provided services of car hire, makeshift toilets, barriers and electricity.