No beef during Commonwealth Games: CWG Org Committee

NEW DELHI: The organising committee of Commonwealth Games has made it clear that no beef would be served during the mega-event that begins October 3.

The committee said "no" while replying to an RTI query which sought to know if beef is a compulsory item to be served in some dishes during the sporting event.

"Commonwealth Games Federation's requirement from the organising committee is to provide to a quality 24 hour catering service offering nutritious meals and snacks to the athletes and their team officials during Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010, taking into consideration cultural dietary requirements and the need for variety and rotation of menus," the reply said.

"The organising committee is duty bound to carry this out," it said.

The application was filed by S C Agrawal. The Delhi government has already clarified that there would be no beef served during the games.

PWD and Revenue Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan had made a statement to this effect in the Delhi Assembly, days after the issue of serving beef during Commonwealth Games rocked the House, with BJP MLAs disrupting its functioning.

"The Delhi Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 1994, prohibits the sale and storage of beef and will not allow serving of beef during the Commonwealth Games," Chauhan had informed the Assembly.

The issue was raised during discussion under special mention by Leader of Opposition V K Malhotra who said Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta had made a statement that beef will be imported during the event to serve athletes and officials.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had said that serving of beef was an issue between the Organising Committee of the event, caterers and MCD, adding, her government had nothing to do with it.