M A I N   N E W S

Decks cleared for CBI case
Allotment of TV rights

NEW DELHI, Nov 12 (PTI) — Decks have been cleared for the CBI to file another case in cricket-related scandal — this time to probe alleged bunglings by Doordarshan in allotment of rights to telecast matches, CBI sources said here today.

They said some documents were being examined by the anti-corruption unit of the CBI and preliminary enquiry (PE) or a regular case (FIR) would be registered very soon to probe the allegations.

The final go-ahead in the case has been given by the legal cell of the agency, the sources said.

The anti-corruption unit (ACU) of the agency, which did some preliminary investigation into the allotment rights, has gathered some evidence, the sources said.

According to sources, the CBI has alleged that the national network of the country sold the television rights to private firms despite having all facilities to do the work themselves.

They said several files pertaining to telecast rights of 1996 and 1999 cricket World Cups of Doordarshan had been scrutinised by the agency and the ACU has opined that a case could be registered and a formal inquiry initiated.

While 1996 cricket World Cup was jointly hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the 1999 World Cup was hosted by England.

CBI sources said the investigations would mainly deal with two issues — allotment of television rights from 1996 onwards and if any money has been made by middlemen, event managers and other officials from these rights.

CBI would go into the details of allotment of television rights and find whether any bunglings had been committed or a particular firm had been favoured, the sources said.

The move follows former president of Indian cricket board I. S. Bindra submitting a personal report on May 15 to the CBI about the allotment of TV rights of cricket matches.

Mr Bindra’s report generally deals with three issues — allotment of television rights from 1996 onwards, money made by middlemen, event managers and other officials from these rights and playing of cricket in other countries. The report, which was examined by the legal cell of the agency, said middlemen benefitted from the telecast of these matches.

The CBI will also probe the alleged bunglings in the telecast rights of cricket matches being played in off-shore venues like Toronto (Canada), Singapore, Dhaka (Bangladesh) and Sharjah (UAE).

Mamata rules out rail fare hike

CALCUTTA, Nov 12 (PTI) — Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today ruled out any hike in rail passenger fare or freight charges and said the Railways would absorb Rs 275 crore as additional costs due to the increase in prices of petroleum products.

Speaking at the flagging off of the South Eastern Railway’s Howrah-Balichak EMU service here, she said the Railways had achieved a record freight income last year.

In an apparent reference to the recent bus fare hike announced by the West Bengal Government due to the petroleum price hike by the Centre, she said: “One has to use one’s mind to generate resources. Hiking the fare is not necessary for maintaining the financial position.”

Later, inaugurating an inland container depot at Cossipore, near here, the minister said the Railways had set a target of saving Rs 865 crore by the end of this fiscal year by cost-cutting measures. 

Doha to stage 2006 Asian Games

PUSAN, Nov 12 (AFP) — Doha, the capital of Qatar will stage the 2006 Asian Games, the world second largest multi-sport event, the Olympic Council of Asia announced today.

Doha beat hot favourites Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and New Delhi after three rounds of polling by the 42-member OCA.