The State Government on Thursday gave enhanced cash incentives announced in October this year to international hockey star Birendra lakra and physically-challenged badminton player Pramod Bhagat, both belonging to the State.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik handed over two cheques for `30 lakh to lakra (`10 lakh for winning a silver medal in the 20th Commonwealth Games-2014 at Glasgow and `20 lakh for winning gold medal in the 17th Asian Games-2014 at Incheon in South Korea) at the State Secretariat here. He also handed over a cheque of `12 lakh to Bhagat for winning a bronze medal in the Para Asian Games-2014 at Incheon.
It may be noted that other members of the Indian hockey team, many of whom are now in the city to play in the Champions Trophy, had complained to State Sports Minister Sudam Marandi about the fact that lakra was yet to get any cash award from the State Government while they had all been rewarded by their respective State Governments.
Sports Secretary Saswat Mishra had then assured that lakra would be given the enhanced cash award announced by the State Government on a day when India would not be playing a match in the Champions Trophy.
The State Government, in a notification on October 29, had announced that it would offer double the amount of cash award given by the Central Government to sportspersons who win medals at international events. The revised cash incentive would be given from the 20th Commonwealth Games-2014 at Glasgow, the notification had stated.