In order to keep the 2010 Commonwealth Games preparations on the right track, the government today allocated Rs 624 crore (Rs 6.24 billion) in the annual budget for 2008-09.

Presenting the budget in the Lok Sabha here, Finance Minister P Chidambaram stressed on strictly adhering to the time frame while finishing projects for the Games and maintaining the quality as well.

In 2007-08, Chidambaram had provided Rs 150 crore (Rs 1.5 billion) to the Sports Ministry and Rs 350 crore (Rs 3.5 billion) to the Delhi Government for the Games.

In view of the 2010 Games, the government has become a little bit aware of the need to build India's first dope control centre and has given Rs 6.75 crore on the head of anti-doping activities, a raise of Rs 4.25 crore than that of last year.

This time, the Finance Minister has earmarked Rs 1111.81 crore (Rs 11.12 billion) for the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, which is a hike of Rs 331 crore (Rs 3.31 billion) than the last financial year.

Altogether Rs 781.83 crore (Rs 7.82 billion) has been earmarked for sports and games, an increase of Rs 287.27 which comes to around 37 per cent more than that of 2007-08.