Applicants face tough time in online submission

Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 18

The online submission of applications for the gradation of sports certificates is giving a tough time to the local sportspersons and their parents.    

The UT Sports Department recently introduced the online submission of applications to streamline the entire process, but the applicants feel that the procedure has become more cumbersome and expensive.    

“The manual submission of the documents was easier,” said Sanjay Sharma, a parent. The authorities must have introduced the online system to reduce the paperwork, but it’s not working.” 

“We have to take printouts of each certificate and upload it. The previous process where an applicant had to prepare a file and submit it to the Office of the District Sports Officer was more simple and cost effective,” rued Sharma, a parent. 

As per an applicant, they have to first create an account, fill the online application form and upload the relevant documents (sports certificates, Aadhar card, date of birth certificate). The applicants then need to take printout of the application form and get it verified from their respective state associations, District Education Officer and school/college/university heads. They also need to submit an affidavit. 

All these documents have then to be scanned and uploaded on the prescribed website before the final submission of the application, the applicant mentioned. On the day of interview, the applicants have to bring the hard copies of all the submitted documents.

“Not everyone in this city owns a computer or a laptop,” pointed Nirupam Arora, another parent. “The applicants who come from economically weaker background are forced to visit a cyber café to fulfill the formalities, which is expensive.” 

“We appreciate the use of technology, but things should be made more convenient for the applicants,” Arora added.