STATEMENT BY DR SHASHI THAROOR MP
My attention has been drawn to certain reports about a payment received by me from the Organizing Committee of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
This information had been reported earlier this year and I had already responded when some sections of the media raised the matter a few months ago.
However, in order to remove any confusion on this issue, I would like to restate the facts, which are these:
*My association with the CWG as a consultant had nothing to do with my present career as a Member of Parliament, but relates totally to an earlier phase of my life, when I was a private citizen setting out on an independent stint as an international consultant after a life-long career in the UN. I was working out of New York and Dubai at the time, and had NO relationship to the Government or with any aspect of Indian public life.
*It was during the course of pursuing my independent professional career that I was officially approached by the CWG authorities to extend my consultancy services for the promotion of the event, a request to which I agreed as part of my professional engagements at the time. They felt that the active advocacy of a person of my stature and international reputation would be an asset to the Games, and I was glad to oblige.
*Subsequently, not only were all the services contracted for performed to the complete satisfaction of the organizers and associates, but in supporting, advocating and promoting the Games, and specifically the Youth Games, the crucial event which preceded it, I went well beyond the duties expected of the consultancy. For instance, I played an active leadership role in promoting the “greening” of the Games and advocating an environmentally-responsible event. I did not spare any effort or commitment to the cause for which I was engaged and I believe that I lent my stature to the Games in the most efficient and effective manner, going beyond the requirements of the contract. For these efforts I was officially, formally and legally paid. At no stage did any member of the organizing committee mention the slightest dissatisfaction with my efforts.
*Following my move to India and my entry into public life here, I closed my old office and discontinued any and all remunerative activities related to Government institutions. I legally retain my foreign bank accounts, as all former NRIs are entitled to do under RBI rules, and there is no impropriety in doing so.
*In summary, I would be grateful if those interested would please note the following salient points:-:
(1)the consultancy services were rendered between September 2008 and January 2009. In other words the services relate to a period well before I entered public life;
(2) that I did not approach the CWG but they sought me out, in order to have me lend my stature to the promotion of the event;
(3) that I was a consultant for international and national engagement and promotion, mainly of the Commonwealth Youth Games, and only incidentally of the CWG itself, since I ceased my consultancy work nearly two years before the CWG itself took place;
(4) that I donated a considerable portion of my time and effort, including on occasion using my personal travel, for this purpose;
(5) that I attended preparatory meetings and the CWYG itself and addressed various audiences in support of these Games, including the assembled athletes from around the world in Pune on the eve of the CWYG; (6) the value of my endorsement of the Games cannot be reduced merely to the days I attended or chaired meetings, since my advocacy had an impact in its own right and finally,
(7) that the consultancy fee charged was actually a token sum, in conformity with the rates the OC was prepared to offer, and the total sum paid (US$30,000 less taxes) was far below the fee that I used to command at the time, even just to make a single speech. The actual payments were, in fact, made after a considerable period of time, much beyond the usual time frame for making payments for such consultancy services in the international field, but I made no demands upon the organizers since the fee was not the principal motive for my involvement.
In other words, there is nothing illegal, unethical, immoral or improper about my having rendered, at that time, paid services to a nationally-supported international endeavour and for having been officially, formally and legally paid for it. When I was approached by the investigators of the Shunglu Committee, I readily co-operated with them, making email records of my work available. No follow-up questions were asked by them. I am therefore disappointed by the needless controversy, based on misleading and partial reports, that has been sought to be stirred up on this matter. I trust the above comprehensive clarification will place this issue at rest.