Congress Deputy leader in the lok Sabha, Capt Amarinder Singh, on Monday condemned the cruel joke played by the State Government on the medal winners from Punjab — in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games — of offering paltry award money to them.
"It is disgusting on part of the State Government to announce Rsseven lakh, Rsfive lakh and Rsthree lakh for the gold, silver and bronze medallists respectively. This only reflects the half-hearted attitude of the Government towards the sports and the sportspersons," said Capt Amarinder.
He pointed out that during his tenure when Sunita Rani had won gold medal in athletics in the Asian Games, his Government had given her Rsone crore and appointed her as a DSP in Punjab Police.
"Show some grace towards the young boys and girls who have done us proud," Capt Amarinder told the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal.
Former CM said: "When neighbouring Haryana is giving Rsone crore, Rs50 lakh and Rs25 lakh respectively to the gold, silver and bronze medallists, giving them this meagre money in Punjab is not only disgusting and disappointing, but also demoralizing for players."