India's prime minister on Tuesday vowed "stern action" over claims of corruption in the awarding of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games television contract to a Britain-based broadcast firm. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued the warning to Indian officials after receiving a report from auditors investigating graft claims against the former head of an Indian state broadcasting agency and British company SIS Live.
"The prime minister has taken a serious view of the findings of the first report of the V.K. Shunglu committee on host broadcasting" for the October 3-14 sporting extravaganza, a statement from his office said. It did not elaborate on the findings but the Press Trust of India (PTI) said the committee pointed the finger at B.S. Lalli, the former CEO of Prasar Bharati, India's state broadcasting corporation, which awarded SIS Live the deal.