By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

August 9 - Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the Delhi Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, has written to all of India's 545 Members of Parliament to defend himself against allegations of corruption.



Kalmadi, who is an MP for the ruling Congress party, has denied claims that he was aware of  payments totalling £250,000 ($399,000) which paid to British-based company AM Films, who provided logistical services during the Queen's Baton Relay in London last October, without a formal contract being signed.

He wrote to the MPs: "CWG OC (Commonwealth Games Organising Committee) had a series of meetings with London agencies on the arrangements to be made.

"London police was insisting that video screens be installed at the venue to help crowd control but OC kept resisting that.

"After a meeting in London with the metro council on October 23, 2009 , Mr Sanjay Mohindroo reported that London police insisted that the video screens be installed or else the launch may not take place. 

"When I reached London on October 24, he gave me a hand written note, in which he mentioned that video screens were required and a payment of £14,6868.18 needed to be cleared immediately. 

"I asked him if it was budgeted and approved for.

"He said it was cleared and within budget.

"Then I made a noting on the handwritten note, 'So late. We have no choice.' 

"It was only an in-principle clearance.

"I have not signed on the invoice.

"Thereafter, Sanjay Mohindroo faxed the same note to Delhi office of the OC  for processing.

"Payment was released after due processing, and by all concerned, including the certificate from a Chartered Accountant, through a bank transfer.

"As for there being a link between this payment and so called present contract/contracts between AM Cars and Vans and Sanjay Mohindroo, no official had lodged a copy of the copy of that contract with the OC.

"We are unaware of the existence of such contract."

Kalmadi, who is also the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), insisted that he has nothing to hide and is confident that he will eventually be cleared.

He wrote to MPs: "The OC has already appointed a committee...to investigate.

"Based on an interim report, two officials have been suspended.

"I am open to scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) or judicial enquiry."

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