JAMMU: Nirbhay Bharat Foundation (NBF) on Saturday raised serious concern over the aimless functioning of J&K Sports Council, seeking probe by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India over the misuse of central funds by the Sports Council for promotion of sports and infrastructure development in the erstwhile state.
In a hard hitting statement issued to media persons, Tarun Uppal, Chairperson, NBF, alleged that J&K Sports Council is draining the resources especially funds on the games and sports which are not recognized making it amply clear that those sitting at helm have vested interests. He said that the issue of misuse of funds received from the centre from time to time also required thorough probe and the successive governments responsible behind the con should be taken to task.
Uppal particularly mentioned that the CAG audit should be ordered over the spending of central funds received by successive regimes in J&K UT for promotion of sports and infrastructure development under flagship schemes Prime Minister Development Package (PMDP) and Khelo India since their launchings.
“How much money has been spent by J&K Sports Council on raising sports infrastructure under Khelo India and already identified Olympic disciplines? CAG audit should also be conducted for upgradation of M A International Stadium where not even domestic level matches can be played due to poor work”, Uppal rued, adding that CAG Audit on purchase of sports equipment of multi-disciplines under the centrally sponsored schemes in J&K UT is also the need of the hour because many skeletons will come down tumbling from the closet of aforesaid wrongdoers if things will be probed honestly.
The NBF Chairperson demanded a detailed audit from Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on utilization of funds under PMDP by the Sports Council.
“Instead of strengthening Olympic disciplines to prepare players for the future international competitions, J&K Sports Council is busy wasting the central money on promoting regional games whose certificates have no relevance”, he alleged adding that the sports body has no recruitment or transfer policy.
Tarun Uppal said that many coaches have been promoted as managers and sports training centres are without coaches. “There is no future plan available for the sports council to appoint new coaches to ensure that training process of players doesn’t get a jolt”, Uppal said and added right now the things are on the mercy of god and therefore the concerned should take a prompt action so that guilty should be booked and steps be taken to bring back things on track.