New Delhi, Aug 20 (IANS) Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy has written to Defence Minister A.K. Antony to ensure that army does not charge anything for providing facilities during the Commonwealth Games.
In the letter, Reddy said army should not expect the Organising Committee (OC) to pay charges for its personnel on Games duty and also mentioned that the facilities provided by the army to artists for the opening ceremony should be available free of cost.
Talking to reporters Friday, Reddy said he wrote the letter, but did not elaborate, saying he did not remember the contents.
‘I did write to the defence minister not to charge for certain things, but I am unable to recall,’ he said.
Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said the defence ministry has agreed to do a few of the works wihout charge. However, he stressed that for some of them, they will charge.
Speaking to reporters, Kalmadi said: ‘We have asked for the army’s support and it has been good enough to lend us support throughout the baton relay and for the opening and closing ceremonies.’
