A commuter walks past the New Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010 mascot in New Delhi October 3, 2009. REUTERS/Parth Sanyal/Files
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India has doubled its budget to organise the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next year as it hopes to use the international gathering to show itself off as a major global destination.
The government on Thursday revised the budget to $344 million, a significant increase from the previous $163 million.
“It has been felt important to increase the amount because of the inclusion of new items that are essential for the successful delivery of the Games that were not provided in the initial budget,” the country’s Information & Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters.
New Delhi is preparing to host more than 100,000 foreign visitors during the Oct. 3-14 event.
File photo of Ambika Soni, Information and Broadcasting Minister of India 

The Indian government has raised the budget of the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games from Rs. 767 crore ($163 million) to Rs. 1,620 crore ($344 million). The decision was made at a meeting of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.

Ambika Soni, the Information and Broadcasting Minister stated, "The cabinet approved the proposal of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for providing a revised budget of Rs. 1,620 crore, as loan to the Organising Committee (OC) of the Commonwealth Games, 2010, at the prevailing government rate of interest."

According to the Minister, the organizing board hoped that to generate a net income of approximately Rs. 1,708 crore.

"The components of rent for organising headquarters, technology which were practically nil in the initial budget, are now around Rs. 175 crore and Rs. 200 crore respectively. These have also contributed substantially to the (budget) increase", said the Minister when asked about the reason for the hike. Sponsorships, TV rights and ticketing were other factors influencing the change.

Alongside this, the Queen's Baton Relay will now encompass all the 70 Commonwealth Games Association nations. 

In the international leg, the number of days has been increased to 240 from the previously approved 136 days while on the domestic leg, there has been an increase from 60 days to 100 days.

"The number of volunteers has also gone up to nearly 30,000 and hence the cost of accreditation, catering, uniform, on this account has increased," said Soni.