IANS

New Delhi, Sep 16: As if taking a cue from the Indian government, chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising committee Suresh Kalmadi Wednesday announced his own austerity drive by cancelling two important functions in connection with the 2010 Games.

Kalmadi, a Congress member of Parliament, told reporters at his first full-fledged news conference at the new headquarters of the organising committee that a musical show by Oscar-winning music director A.R. Rahman scheduled Oct 3 and a cultural programme at London's Trafalgar Square in connection with the Queen's Baton Relay have been cancelled.

"The Queen's Baton Relay will start from the Buckingham Palace in the presence of India's President Pratibha Patil. We have decided to cut down costs on all frills," Kalmadi said.

Kalmadi also said apprehension raised by the Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell has been a wake-up call and the 2010 Games would be the best ever held.

"We will be happy to clear Fennell's doubts when he comes here in October. There were no adverse comments on the organising committee," he said.

"We have got the backing of the Government of India. We all are working as a team. There is great coordination between the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Government of India and the opposition."