New Delhi, February 1
A high-level committee that went into the alleged financial irregularities during the Commonwealth Games has indicted suspended Prasar Bharti CEO BS Lalli and Doordarshan Director-General Aruna Sharma, accusing them of “collusion” with a UK-based firm that benefited by Rs 135 crore in the broadcast deal. The two-member committee headed by former Comptroller and Auditor-General VK Shunglu has also recommended action against the two officials saying “they cannot be recused from the acts of omission and commission which facilitated this wrong doing”.

The 236-page interim report was submitted yesterday to the Government and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has taken a “serious view” of the findings. He has sent it to the Cabinet Secretary and sought follow-up steps within a week.

“Stern action is likely to be taken on the basis of the Cabinet Secretary’s recommendations,” a PMO statement said. Lalli has already been suspended on a reference made to the President for his removal.

The committee said based on the documents available, it had concluded that the actual cost of the contract awarded to SIS LIVE was at best about Rs 111 crore, thus resulting in a profit of at least Rs 135 crore for SIS LIVE and Zoom Communications.

“The responsibility for providing undue benefit to SIS LIVE and Zoom Communications is primarily that of the then CEO of the Prasar Bharti and the Director-General of Doordarshan. They cannot be recused from the acts of omission and commission which facilitated this wrong doing,” the report said. — PTI