No Action initiated against officers’ holding fake degrees

Despite the passage of over three years now, no action has been initiated against the officers of Youth Services and Sports department who are holding ‘fake and invalid degrees’.

However surprisingly these officers are heading the department in different capacities and imposition of Governor’s rule hasn’t affected any positive change in Youth Services and Sports department as top brass of the department continue to dump the inquiry report for reasons unknown reasons

According to details and documents available with Early Times over ninety officers in Youth Services and Sports (YSS) department were found possessing fake Masters of Physical Education (MP.Ed) degrees by State Vigilance Organization (SVO) nearly three years' back.

These officers, according to sources, were enjoying the patronage of a strong political lobby but now after the imposition of Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir they have successfully managed to keep the issue under carpet.

The vigilance had found them guilty and had forwarded the inquiry report to General Administration Department (GAD) for regular departmental action but these officers have been exerting pressure from various corners top level officials.

 As reported earlier, the department has entrusted fake degree holders to run the department in Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama and other districts of Kashmir.

 An internal enquiry report accessed by ET reveals that most of the officers have got admission in North Maharashtra University Jalgoan MPEd course but haven’t got study leave sanctioned from the competent authorities.

 The officer currently looking after Aanatnag and Pulwama district of South Kashmir has availed just 177 days leave that too from an incompetent authority. The officer however has not completed the degree according to the University order 188828 issued vide letter No. 68/6771/98-99 dated 30-10-1998.

The information obtained through RTI vide no.DYSS/11894-95, dated 08-05-2012 says, “so far as the North Maharashtra University Jalgoan conducts MPEd (Physical)   for two years duration and is a regular course.”

Earlier the University through its order 188828 issued vide letter No. 68/6771/98-99 dated 30-10-1998 has requested all the candidates who had undergone one year MPED course up to session 1998-99 to seek admission for 2nd year but officers of Youth Services & Sports department didn’t return.

 The University of Kashmir University has issued an order vide No- F (Equivalence/MPEd) Acad/KU/07date October 18-2007 that one year MPEd course isn’t equivalent to MPEd degree so has Jammu University vide letter no. F./Acd/07/8918 dated 05-10-2007.

Among 158, enquiry committee and subsequently vigilance probe has found 97 officers (lecturers) in Youth Services & Sports department with fake or invalid degrees. Most of these fake degree holders are holding sensitive gazetted posts as they have availed promotions on these fake degrees.

Despite repeated attempts, Commissioner Secretary Youth Services and Sports department couldn’t be contacted as he didn’t attend repeated telephone calls of this reporter.