SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government will constitute a departmental committee to review the rules governing the appointment of outstanding sportspersons, including S.O. 12 of 2022 and S.O. 412 of 2023, the Department of Youth Services and Sports said on Wednesday.
The decision follows concerns and representations received from sportspersons regarding the existing appointment framework.
According to the department, the committee will examine the relevant provisions of the rules, issues arising during their implementation and suggestions received from stakeholders before making recommendations in accordance with law.
The department said the review is aimed at ensuring greater fairness, transparency and merit in the appointment process. It clarified that the exercise will be prospective and will not, by itself, cast any aspersion on candidates who were selected under the rules applicable to them at the time.
The move comes after Minister for Youth Services and Sports Satish Sharma heard the grievances of a number of sportspersons on June 24. A delegation of senior government officers subsequently met the protesting sportspersons on Wednesday and took note of their concerns.
The department maintained that selections already made under S.O. 12 of 2022 and subsequent amendments and instructions were processed in accordance with the rules applicable at the relevant time. At the same time, it said the government had taken cognisance of the demand to review the existing framework.
“All grievances and representations received by the Department concerning the selection process shall be examined objectively and in accordance with the applicable rules and established procedure,” the department spokesperson said.
He added that consideration of a grievance would not by itself amount to acceptance of any allegation or imply a finding of irregularity. Any action, wherever warranted, would be taken only after due examination and verification, he said.
The department also announced a review of the stay position of employees in the Youth Services and Sports Department to ensure strict and uniform implementation of the applicable Transfer Policy.
The exercise, it said, would take into account administrative requirements, applicable rules and legitimate exemptions provided under the policy.
The government reiterated that the review process was intended to uphold fairness, transparency, accountability and the rule of law while protecting the legitimate interests of all stakeholders.
