Under pressure, AIU removes joint secretary, forms inquiry panel
New Delhi:
Facing backlash over mismanagement and administrative irregularities at the ongoing FISU World University Games in Germany, resulting in some of the athletes missing out on participation, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) – under pressure from the sports ministry to crack the whip on erring officials – on Wednesday removed its joint secretary Baljit Singh Sekhon from his post and constituted a four-member inquiry committee to probe the procedural lapses in registration.
The development came a day after
TOI
reported citing sources that the ministry was considering disbanding the AIU, along with the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), over alleged malpractices and irregularities in their functioning and replacing them with two new national federations. Six Indian badminton players were barred from the WUG in Rhine-Ruhr after officials failed to submit their names correctly during the managers' meeting on July 16.
Similarly, India couldn't field an entry in the women's 10,000m and 400m as long-distance runner Seema along with two others and sprinter Devyaniba Zala's names went missing from the start list due to an official error.
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AIU sources claimed on Wednesday that following negotiations with FISU (the international body for university sports), all the 12 members of the badminton squad were awarded medals and certificates as per the norm.
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However, there was no official confirmation from the organisers.
In the suspension letter issued by AIU – a copy of which is with TOI – Nazneen Begum, under-secretary (Admin/Estt) wrote: 'The president of the AIU, in the interest of upholding accountability and procedural propriety, and in exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 18.2 of the AIU Office bye-laws, hereby place Dr Baljit Singh Sekhon, joint secretary, under suspension with immediate effect.
It is also ordered that for the duration this order remains in effect, the headquarters of Dr Sekhon shall be the AIU Office, New Delhi.
He must obtain prior permission before leaving headquarters/station.'
In a separate letter issued by Nazneen, she informed about the formation of an investigative panel.
'The committee shall examine all relevant records related to the registration and management of Indian contingent at the WUG and determine the facts concerning the non-inclusion of selected athletes, the exclusion of designated coaches and the penalties imposed by the event organisers,' the order stated.
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