Chess certificates ‘bought’ for `20,000 for med seats
Panel wants students submitting fake certificates should be fined and booked
The investigation into the sports quota scam in medical seats revealed how certain candidates secured certificates in chess.
To be considered a national or international player in chess, one has to play a cycle of competitions at school, college, district, state, inter-state, national and international level.
However, through a provision called “donor entry”, a student can pay `10,000 and secure a national participation certificate, and an international level certificate for `20,000.
These certificates were submitted to secure medical seats by undeserving candidates.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) delved into the fraud and identified three such undeserving candidates, two female and one male, who managed to secure MBBS seats under sports quota during the academic year 2010-11, 2016-17 and 2017-18 by submitting certificates issued through donor entry.
An investigating officer with the ACB said, “The trio were not avid chess players. The girl who bagged a medical seat in 2010-11, was a participant at the Commonwealth Games through donor entry and secured one point in the game and she does not qualify for a seat. It was the same with the other two. Also, during the course of the probe when ACB officials visited colleges where these candidates secured a seat, it was found that none were medallists or even played in inter-college chess competitions.”
A member of the TS Chess Association told Deccan Chronicle, “A series of inter-district tournaments are held throughout the state and the top 10 players are selected, out of which two are sent for the nationals. The All India Chess regulation norms allow two from each state. But, since we need to do justice to a few more deserving players, the Association allows them to participate through donor entry.”
From this academic year, only sportspersons who have participated in the Olympics, Youth Olympic Games, World Championships in senior, youth, junior and sub junior categories, Asian Games and Youth Asian Games can claim medical seats under sports quota, according to a recommendation made by an independent committee that is looking into the seats scam.
In its recommendations submitted to the Chief Minister’s Office, the committee said students submitting fake certificates should be fined and booked. These recommendations are being considered as final and an order could be issued soon, a senior officer said
The CMO drew up fresh guidelines for MBBS/BDS seats under sports quota after it reviewed a report submitted by the committee. It has framed new rules keeping in view the nature of sport, level of contribution to the game and medals secured.
A senior officer said the proposed evaluation committee would be headed by the secretary, youth affairs, tourism, sports and culture and have the vice-chairman and managing director of Sports Authority of Telangana State as convener.
The commissioners of health and family welfare and agriculture, the registrars of Kaloji health university, Prof. Jayashankar agricultural university, JNTU, Osmania University and president of the Olympic Association of TS as members. The committee has recommended that penalties should be imposed and criminal cases registered against the student and the parents if false certificates are submitted.