Patna, May 9: Officials of Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA) and the department of art, culture and youth affairs are at loggerheads after a fresh inquiry was ordered by the latter into alleged financial irregularities in a sports championship 2010-11.
The championship, aimed at promoting budding talents at panchayat- and block-levels, was organised under the aegis of the Centre-sponsored scheme, Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan, in Patna district in Decem- ber 2010.
Joint secretary of the department of art, culture and youth affairs Maheshwar Prasad Singh issued a letter to the director of students and youth directorate Ajit Kumar Singh recently, asking the latter to conduct a fresh inquiry into the allegations of financial bungling in the sports championship held in the district from December 26 to December 28 in 2010.
The joint secretary’s letter stated preliminary investigation, carried out by the additional director-general (ADG) of the BSSA, hinted at gross financial bungling.
“The allegations levelled against the Patna district sports officer ought to be probed thoroughly,” the joint secretary’s letter stated.
The joint secretary’s new directive has, however, not gone down well with the BSSA officials. Its director-cum- secretary, Harishankar Jha, shot a letter to the joint secretary of the department of art, culture and youth affairs on March 1, 2012, telling that the fresh directive appeared to be a “deliberate attempt” to delay the probe.
“What is the need of a fresh inquiry when the investigation conducted by an ADG-rank officer has already found the allegations to be true? A copy of the investigation carried out by the ADG was also sent to the principal secretary of the department, recommending action against the erring officials,” the BSSA’s director said.
He added that the joint secretary’s order was also against the administrative norms. “Can a junior officer be assigned the task of investigation when a senior officer has already detected irregularities and recommended action?” Jha asked.
The ADG of BSSA, A.K. Seth, had recommended stern action against the Patna district sports officer for mismanagement, procedural lapses and financial irregularities on January 4, 2012.
