The Hindu : Ministers deny charge of favouritism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 07, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Ministers deny charge of favouritism

By Our Special Correspondent

Hyderabad Nov. 6. The Ministers for Sports and Information and Public Relations -- P. Ramulu and S. Chandramohan Reddy -- have refuted the allegation made by the CLP deputy leader, G. Chinna Reddy, that Rs. 5 crores was unduly paid to Ramoji Film City for conduct of the World Chess Championship tournament-2002 recently.

At a press conference here today, the two Ministers furnished details relating to the break-up of expenditure made for the event to say that the charge made by the "unscrupulous'' Congress leader was utterly wrong. They said it was unfortunate that the Congress leader was finding fault with the Government instead of congratulating it for conducting the international event in such a successful manner and advised him to do a bit of homework before issuing such statements.

First of all, Ramoji Film City was selected as the venue by office-bearers of the chess federation itself. It was the first time that the sequence of events from the first round to the finals were conducted at one venue and not in different countries as was hitherto done.

According to figures given by the Ministers, the total amount spent on the event was Rs. 2.75 crores and out of this, only Rs. 10 lakhs was paid to the Ramoji Film City as advance for conduct of the event and for the accommodation given in the premises. The Film City offered the facilities at concessional rate and because of this, only Rs. 25 lakhs was yet to be paid to it.

The details of other expenditures were: Rs. 50 lakhs as bid amount to the chess federation, Rs. 1.6 crores as prize money, Rs. 4.96 lakhs to V. Anand, one of the grandmasters, as "appearance money'', Rs 2.28 lakhs as tax deduction on this amount, Rs 9.73 lakhs on the electronic score board, Rs. 17.4 lakhs as stipend to officials of the federation, Rs 35,000 towards staff honorarium, and Rs. 75,000 towards honorarium for others.

Asked why chance was not given to the Sanghis even though they offered to conduct the event free of cost, the Ministers said the offer was not made in writing. L. V. Subrahmanyam, MD, SAAP, said every participant in the event had gone on the record describing the event as best organised. Forty-eight players from 23 countries took part in the event.

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