Jammu, Feb 3 (Representative) The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council has finally released funds for remuneration of the manpower hired and engaged in Khelo India Centres of Excellence and Khelo India Centres at the district level set up across the Union Territory.However, the Divisional Sports Officers have been asked to submit the Utilisation Certificates of the funds after disbursement of remunerations. “Funds have been released for the salaries as we have settled the issue of Utilisation Certificates submission,” Nadeem Dar, Deputy Director, Sports Authority of India (SAI), In-charge Khelo India said. In an order issued here on January 31 (order number 60 of 2023), sanction has been accorded for the release of an amount of Rs. 30 lakhs and placement of the same at the disposal of the Divisional Sports Officer of both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions. An amount of Rs 20 lakhs and Rs 10 lakhs have been released in favour of Divisional Sports Officers for disbursement of remuneration to the manpower hired in Khelo State Level Khelo India Centres of Excellence (Fencing and Rowing). “The respective Divisional Sports Officers shall disburse the remunerations to the incumbents on prior verification of the documents, CID Verification, monthly attendance statement and satisfactory Work and Conduct,” read an order stating that the Divisional Sports Officers shall submit the utilization certificate of the funds after disbursement of remunerations.
Meanwhile, in a separate order, sanction has been accorded to the release of an amount of Rs 40 lakhs and placement of the same at the disposal of the Divisional Sports Officer (Kashmir and Jammu) to the extent of amount of Rs 20 lakhs each for disbursing the honorarium to past Champion Athletes/Mentors engaged for Small Khelo India Centres at district level. The Divisional Sports Officers shall disburse the remunerations to the past Champion Athletes/Mentors @ Rs 25,000/- per month on the basis of attendance record and previous payments drawn and minimum strength of trainees on ground prescribed under the scheme. Notably, UNI in its January 13 report had highlighted the issue of non-disbursal of salaries after a lot of hue and cry by the coaches/mentors/athlete champions engaged under Khelo India Scheme alleging that they were not paid for the last six to seven months. In July last year, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council appointed 22 outstanding players in 16 different sports disciplines at various Khelo India Centres across the Union Territory established by Sports Authority of India (SAI) to give a fillip to sports activities.
The outstanding players were engaged in Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Korfball, Karate, Pencak Silat, Rugby, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Thang-ta and Wushu after interviews conducted at Srinagar by the Sports Council on tenure basis for a period of one year extendable up-to three years subject to satisfactory work and performance coinciding with the Olympic Cycle and coterminous with Khelo India Scheme. The tenure of coach or mentor shall be subject to the work and conduct remaining satisfactory in the KICs and in case of misconduct or negligence in duties or any engagement found indulging in strike or any other activities which affect the Centre, the engagement of athlete shall be terminated without any notice. The order also read that athletes shall be eligible for maximum remuneration of Rs three lakhs per year subject to the condition that the minimum number of trainees should not be less than 30 regular trainees in any given discipline and must strive to have an equal ratio of male and female trainees.