Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Commonwealth Games: HC notices to govt for 'violation' of labour laws

New Delhi: The Delhi high court today sought a response from the Centre for its alleged failure to provide all thebenefits of labour laws to workers involved in construction work for the coming Commonwealth Games.

A bench headed by chief justice AP Shah issued a notice to the Centre and asked it to file the response by February 3 when the matter would be taken up for further hearing.

The Court passed the order on a PIL filed by civil rights group Peoples Union for Democratic Rights which submitted that the Centre has failed to force private companies to abide by the labour laws.

"The government and its agencies as well as their numerous contractors have got used to the idea that they are not accountable for the working and living conditions and can pass up their responsibility, ignoring the legal requirements.

This has resulted in inhuman conditions for construction workers in Delhi," the advocate, appearing for the group, said.

The rights group pleaded the court should intervene to correct the impression and to bring relief to poor and vulnerable 4,15,000 contract daily wage workers who are working on these projects.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

BJP to stage protest if beef served during Commonwealth Games

New Delhi: The ruling BJP in MCD today threatened that party councillors and workers will stage protests and picket before the Commonwealth Games committee office if beef is served during the event here in October. BJP workers will also gherao the hotels or other places where beef is being served and lodge FIRs against the officials and hotel management, leader of MCD House Subhash Arya and Chairman of MCD Standing Committee Ram Kishan Singhal told reporters here.


"We want to warn both Delhi and Central governments that if serving of beef during Games create law and order problem in the city, they themselves will be responsible for it," the BJP leaders cautioned.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Delhi races to stay in Commonwealth Games

The lack of building security is a running gag among staff but it's no joke at a time when India's ability to stage a secure event is under question.

Indian and Commonwealth Games Federation organisers have reacted angrily in recent weeks to suggestions athletes face a risk of terrorist attacks during the October 3 to 14 Games.

CGF president Michael Fennell accuses those who question India's capacity to provide adequate security, and to have the venues finished on time, of Western snobbery.

"If a problem occurs in India then it is viewed differently to the same problem in another country," he says.

"The fact is there is always a security risk. Everybody has to make their own decisions, but if you don't go [to Delhi] I suggest you don't travel anywhere in the world."

Sunday, January 17, 2010

CWG Organising Committee wants Mattoo to continue

New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) The 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) today said it will take a call on treasurer A K Mattoo's resignation tomorrow but would like to see the veteran sports administrator continue in his post.

OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot told PTI that the committee was yet to receive copy of Mattoo's resignation and would take a decision only after a discussion with chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

"We have not received his resignation till now. We can take a decision only when it is in our hand. Today being Sunday, we will look into the matter tomorrow once Mr Kalmadi arrives here from Pune," Bhanot, also the OC spokesperson, said.

"But we will obviously request him to continue. We don't have any differences with him. But at the end of the day it would be his personal decision," he said.