Indian High Commission slams Kalmadi's claim

New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association President and Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi is now on a sticky wicket as the Indian High Commission in Britain has refuted his claim that money was paid to a company recommended by them.

The Indian High Commission has denied his claim that it had recommended AM Cars and AM Films UK Ltd, which were used for organising a Commonwealth Games function. Kalmadi had said that the little known company was hired on the recommendation of the High Commission alone.

"AM cars and vans that we appointed for transport was recommended by the Indian High Commission," Kalmadi said on Saturday.

Moreover, the High Commission officials say they never gave a formal recommendation.

"A M Films is not on the panel of companies recommended by the High Commission usually. A M Films was reportedly given over £ 4.50 lakh by the Organising Committee without following any proper tendering procedure and there was no paper work. We have to scrutinise the email that Kalmadi is holding as proof of the High Commission's recommendation," said the High Commission.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Kalmadi had on Saturday claimed that the organisers acted according to the High Commission's advice.

"The Organising Committee sent a letter to Vikran Ratan, who's the first secretary of the protocol and administration. He is the person responsible for these matters and his junior officer has replied on his behalf. It is very clear the High Commission has paid to the company recommended by them. We have gone by the High Commission advice," Kalmadi said.

Kalmadi has also denied all allegations of financial irregularities in the organisation of the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi. "I have been deeply pained by the baseless allegations of corruption in the CWG," said Kalmadi on Saturday.

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