Addressing a press gathering here today, Deputy Chief Minister Chandramani Singh sounded confident that the various committees set up to oversee the preparations of the Games were working warfooting to complete the job. He assured they will not be wanting in their work.

But what may affect the progress is the fund. According to him, the organising committee has also spent Rs. 93 crore and still short some which, the state expects to get from the Centre and other sources.

Manipur has also, in the meanwhile, planned a full dress rehearsal in mid-September with athletes from neighbouring states participating in it to assess the problems, if any. ``There is bound to be some because it is our first experience,'' confessed Singh, adding that ``the dress rehearsal will help us try eliminate those problems before the actual Games began.'' The Working Chairman of National Games Organising Committee (NGOC) admitted that work at most of the stadia was yet to be completed but was at full pace and everything will be in order by the end of this month.

``In fact, we are waiting for the monsoon season to get over. Hopefully the weather will clear by next wek and we can finish our job in time for the Games."