The Department of Posts has enjoyed reputation of employing talented sportspersons of International and National standards together with other Govt. departments and PSUs. But instances have come to public notice, where this reputed department has appointed sportspersons; those who were ineligible even to apply under sports category!
Department of Posts had released an advertisement for appointment was published during December last year. Among other categories of Sports and Games, 3 posts were notified exclusively for Batsmen under ‘Cricket’ category of Games. Besides educational qualifications, it was specifically mentioned in the said advertisement that preference will be given to sports persons who have represented the country or state in an International or National competition, Inter University tournament conducted by the Inter University Sports Board/ the State School team in the National Sports/ Games for Schools conducted by the All India School Games Federation and National Awardees on Physical Efficiency under the National Physical Efficiency Drive. It was also the eligible criteria.
The list of the successful aspirants for appointment of sportspersons in various categories was published on May 19, which has surprised all. The selectors have flouted all the rules, while selecting the candidate for appointment. Although preference was supposed to be given to those sports persons who have active participation in International/ National/ Inter University/National School of Games etc in order of preference, the ineligible candidates were preferred by the Dept of P&T authorities for appointment.
If one goes through the list of successful candidates, the nepotism is clearly evident; as an applicant Ranji batsman with flying colours from Odisha could not find place in the list. Eminent cricketers and Coaches have expressed their anguish over the incidence and stated that this is an example of neglecting the budding cricket talents, more particularly from Odisha, set by a government of India department! It is surprising that ineligible candidates could be selected under cricket (batsmen) category, which needs probe by the top brass of the department and the Ministry.
“Will the anticorruption wing of the department and the Enforcement Directorate investigate in to the matter to punish the culprit?, asked a budding IPL player.
