Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council Addresses Allegations from Para Archer Rakesh Kumar

Clarification on Recruitment Allegations

On Sunday, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council refuted claims made by para archer Rakesh Kumar regarding his supposed exclusion from the recruitment process established under SO-12 of 2022. The Council emphasized that Kumar had not applied for the positions in question, thus his application was never considered.

A spokesperson for the J&K Sports Council stated, "Recent statements attributed to Mr. Rakesh Kumar have circulated in various media outlets, alleging unfair exclusion from the selection process for appointments under SO-12 of 2022, which governs the hiring of Outstanding Sportspersons. These claims are factually incorrect and necessitate immediate clarification to uphold transparency and public trust."

The statement further clarified, "According to official records, Mr. Rakesh Kumar did not submit an application in response to the notification for appointments under SO-12 of 2022. Therefore, his candidature was not available for review by the Scrutiny or Selection Committees."

Transparency in Recruitment Process

The J&K Sports Council asserted that the recruitment process under SO-12 of 2022 was executed transparently and in compliance with established rules. The General Merit List was published on July 19, 2024, and was accessible to the public for 15 days, allowing applicants and stakeholders to raise any objections or corrections.

The Council noted that Rakesh Kumar did not file any objections or grievances during this timeframe regarding his alleged exclusion from the merit list. "The recruitment was conducted in a transparent manner. After reviewing all applications submitted within the designated period, the General Merit List was released by the Youth Services & Sports Department on July 19, 2024, and made public for 15 days to invite feedback from applicants and stakeholders," the spokesperson explained.

During this objection period, Kumar did not raise any concerns about his exclusion from the General Merit List, despite the ample opportunity provided to all involved parties to highlight any discrepancies.

Non-Participation Clarified

The J&K Sports Council further clarified that Rakesh Kumar only approached the department after the provisional selection list was published on February 11, seeking inclusion despite not having applied under the original recruitment notification. The Council stated that such a request could not be honored as recruitment rules mandate candidates to submit valid applications within the specified timeframe.

The statement emphasized, "Kumar's claims of exclusion lack support from official records. The issue at hand is one of non-participation in the recruitment process rather than unfair exclusion. It was only after the selection process had advanced significantly that Mr. Rakesh Kumar submitted a request for inclusion, which could not be legally entertained since he had not applied under the recruitment notification. A valid application is a prerequisite for consideration in any recruitment process."

Call for Accurate Information

The J&K Sports Council acknowledged the contributions of athletes but stressed that claims regarding recruitment procedures must be factually supported. They cautioned that misleading statements about a transparent selection process could lead to public confusion and erode trust in official institutions.

"The Department and the sports community value the achievements of all athletes, including distinguished individuals. However, public statements regarding official recruitment processes should be based on accurate and verifiable facts. Spreading incorrect information about a transparent recruitment process can mislead the public and create unnecessary confusion," the statement concluded.

The Council reiterated that the recruitment process under SO-12 of 2022 was conducted strictly according to the rules and reviewed by authorized committees. They indicated that legal action might be pursued against anyone intentionally disseminating false or misleading information that could disrupt the recruitment process.