BHUBANESWAR 04-Dec-2014 21
Condemned for being apathetic in rewarding international medal-winning sportspersons of Odisha, the state government, as a face-saving measure, rewarded hockey star Birendra Lakra and para badminton player Pramod Bhagat with cash prizes at the enhanced rate today.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik handed overs cheques worth Rs 28.75 lakh and Rs 12 lakh to Lakra and Bhagat respectively here at the state secretariat. Sports Minister Sudam Marndi, Sports Secretary Saswat Mishra and Sports Director Anant Kishore Jena were present on the occasion.
India defender Lakra, who was sore over the government`s apathy and made his dissatisfaction public a couple of days ago, received Rs 20 lakh for winning gold medal at the Incheon Asian Games and Rs 8.25 lakh for bagging silver medal at the the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
According to the governments` revised cash award scheme, Lakra was supposed to receive Rs 10 lakh for his success in the Commonwealth Games. But the 24-year-old hockey player from Sundargarh district, who his here to play the Champions Trophy, was given Rs 28.75 lakh as he had received Rs 1.25 lakh for the event earlier under the old scheme.
Shuttler Bhagat, who hails from Atabira in Bargarh district, was rewarded for securing a bronze medal in the Para Asian Games at Incheon earlier this year. According to Sports Department sources, the revised cash award scheme will be effective from Glasgow Commonwealth Games and other medal-winning sportspersons of the state will receive the money through respective bank accounts.
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PHOTO: Hockey international Birendra Lakra and para shuttler Pramod Bhagat with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the cash award presentation ceremony in Bhubaneswar on December 4, 2014.
