Srinagar, Nov 14: In an outrageous case of official negligence, the J&K State Sports Council has brazenly overlooked the ‘authentication of certificates’ of an official which proved that he had “mischievously recorded forged date-of-birth in a fake date of birth certificate.”
 While the J&K Board of School Education has 10 years back authenticated that the official—Muhammad Afzal Malik, who would work as the Public Relation Officer at the Sports Council—had “mischievously forged date of birth as 31-12-1958 in the fake certificate when the actual DOB of the candidate is 4-9-1955,” the Council has done little to act against the official and has rather showered a benevolence of sorts on him by giving him an ‘interim promotion’ as an administrative officer.
 Afzal’s Board authentication certificate, copy of which is with Greater Kashmir, clearly writes that “the certificate of Mohmad Afzal Malik son of Fida Mohmad Malik is absolute fake and fraud.”
 “An administrative action under rules may be initiated against the candidate for producing a fake certificate and the matter may please be referred to the Crime or Vigilance Branch Srinagar for investigation under an intimation to this office. The matter may be treated as most urgent,” reads the authentication certificate, signed by then Joint Secretary (Verification), BOSE, Dr GN Shah.
 The authentication certificate has been issued on 30-9-2002 and is addressed to then Secretary J&K State Sports Council, Sheikh Fazal Ahmad with reference to the latter’s letter No. SC/1286/22.
 According to informed sources, the Council neither handed over the case to the Crime or Vigilance nor initiated any departmental inquiry against the man, who is reportedly enjoying plum position in the Sports Council. The official, the sources said, has rather been ‘promoted’ as administrative officer and his conformation file with regard had been recently forwarded to the concerned minister for approval—something which has ruffled many feathers.
 Interestingly, the Government has brazenly flouted its own circular vide No 14-GAD of 2007 Dated 19-4-2007 which says that “manipulation of the recorded date of birth with ulterior motive invites disciplinary action under rules as well as action under the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act.”
 However, the circular, according to sources, is yet to be applied to the case under question.
 “The Council must handover the case to the Crime Branch and initiate disciplinary action against the official,” the sources said.
 Despite repeated attempts, the Secretary, Sports Council and Minister for Sports, RS Chib could not be contacted for comments.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 IST