New Delhi, November 5
The government today more than doubled the budget for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to Rs1,620 crore from the earlier Rs 767 crore. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

In another decision, the Cabinet also approved a proposal of the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry to permit all payments for royalty, lump-sum fee for transfer of technology, payments for use of trademark and brand name on the automatic route without any restrictions, and subject to FEMA (Current Account Transaction) Rules, 2000.

Briefing newsmen after the cabinet meeting Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said, “The cabinet approved the proposal of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for providing a revised budget of Rs.1,620 crore, as loan to the Organising Committee (OC) of the Commonwealth Games, 2010, at the prevailing government rate of interest.”

Soni said the Organising Committee hoped that “against the approved revised estimates it is expected to generate a revenue of about Rs.1,708 crore”.

Soni said many factors have contributed to increase in the amounts proposed in the revised estimates. “Sponsorship and TV rights, security, sustainability and environment, and ticketing” included in the revised proposal, were among the main factors raising the budget, the minister said.

The minister said that there had been no provision earlier for certain essential items for the successful delivery of the games.

“The components of rent for organising headquarters, technology which were practically nil in the initial budget, are now around Rs 175 crore and Rs 200 crore respectively. These have also contributed substantially to the increase,” she said.

Delhi would be hosting the 19th Commonwealth Games from October 3 to 14, 2010, in 17 sporting disciplines. Competitions will also be held for Elite Athletes with Disability.