Fake degree ‘scam’ surfaces in Department of Youth Services & Sports

Forged degree holders working as lecturers, district officers in department

Fake degree ‘scam’ surfaces in Department of Youth Services and SportsNotwithstanding its tall claims of keeping corruption out of institutions, government has failed to punish officers who have been promoted on fake degrees at Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS).

According to sources a probe panel formed to look into validations of Masters Degree of Physical Education Lecturers in the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) has found the qualifications acquired by the lecturers as invalid and has recommended action against them.

They said that many candidates working as district officers and in-charge lecturers in the Department of Youth Service and Sports (DYSS) are alleged to be ineligible because of the fake and invalid degrees.

Genuine M.PED Degree Holders cry disparities in the department of youth service and sports where the ineligible and blue eyed boys are being provided with undue and unjustified promotions.

According to an order [No. 130-Edu [Tech] of 2010 dated 08/ 09/2010, a committee of officers was constituted and asked to verify the genuineness of M.PED degrees of candidates who were promoted as in-charge lecturers and district officers.

While admitting to the queries as alleged by the genuine MPED Degree Holders, the committee furnished their report vide no. DYSS/583s4 dated 08/ 09/ 2011 and named some of the officials who were found to be in possession of invalid degrees.

Azad Ahmad, President, Genuine MPED Degree Holders while talking to Kashmir InFocus said, “Many in-charge lecturers and in-charge District officers presently holding these posts have not genuine degrees that are required for the posts they are holding. The department despite knowing the fake nature of their degrees is still turning a deaf ear, “ said Ahmed.

He added, “There are also some candidates who are having only one year MPED degree where as the course is completed in two years.”

As per the UGC norms the degrees of the promotees had to be ‘verified’ by the department to ensure the eligibility of candidates. During the verification it was found that many of the candidates are having MPED of only one year whereas the degree course is of two years.

Equivalence certificate dated October, 18, 2007 issued by the Deputy Registrar Academics, University of Kashmir which reads, “At the instance of one, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Khan this is to certify that one year M. ED[Physical] course cannot be considered as equivalent to two

years M.PED Course.

“Also the candidates who have done their studies in their service tenure had not applied for the study leave, which is sheer violation of the norms. No proper permissions from the department were granted.” said one of the candidates.

The youth service and sports department had earlier assured that the candidates who are presently working as District officers and In-charge lecturers with invalid degrees or with any sort of ineligibility would be ‘reverted’ in a very short span of time.

Sajad Ahmad,one of the victims said, “The then secretary Hardesh Kumar asked DG to inquire and fix seniority but the irony is, in the revised seniority list the present acting in-charge lecturers and District officers rank nowhere but they still are enjoying the same positions.”

Mohammad Imran (name changed) alleged, “These candidates are pressing the concerned minister for onetime benefit. If this happens it would send a wrong message and the credibility of the department would be at stake. The department should intervene and deal with the issue as per the rules.” Else Justice delayed is Justice denied, he added.

Commissioner Secretary, Department of Youth Services and Sports, Hilal Ahmad Parrey, said, “I will talk to DG YSS in this regard and we will look into the matter and the decision would be initiated accordingly. If anyone would be found with invalid degrees he would be reverted.” Despite many attempts the minister for Youth Service and Sports didn’t respond to the repeated calls from this newspaper.

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