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Haryana
Cash prizes disappointment for Haryana medallists: To boycott ceremony
It looks like the Commonwealth Games honeymoon period is over. The back and forth twitter congratulations from ministers and athletes thanking them seem to have taken a back seat and it has all boiled down to the one thing that interests everyone, i.e. cash prizes. It so happens that Harmeet Desai is not the only one who is unhappy with the way the governments have decided to go when it comes to awarding the CWG medallists and now, the medallists from Haryana are going to stage a protest and not attend the ceremony. ALSO READ: Harmeet Desai calls out Gujarat gov over cash prize According to the TOI, the Haryana state government recently stated that in case of athletes who represent institutions such as the Army or Railways and are given cash prizes by them, the Haryana government would deduct the amount given by the institution from their stated sum. This has not been received very graciously by the medallists and veteran boxer Manoj Kumar said that it is like imposing the GST on athletes. He further stated that the step was a very harsh one, especially given that the government does not give the promised jobs to the athletes. He said, "No other government has taken this step before. This government has not provided jobs and now they are reducing prize money as well. This is like charging GST on the players.' Among the athletes who will be boycotting the ceremony are the likes of Manoj Kumar, Neeraj Chopra, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra said, 'If senior players feel injustice is being done, then I will follow them. They are senior and are taking the right decision (to boycott the ceremony).' 
Neeraj Chopra According to the state policy, a gold medallist is earmarked for 1.5 crores, a silver medallist 75 lakhs and a sum of 50 lakhs is awarded to a bronze medallist. In terms of jobs as well, Haryana rules indicate that a gold medallist, silver medallist and bronze medallist are eligible for Class A, Class B and Class C jobs in the government respectively. However, the deduction of the amount from their cash prizes that is being given by the institutions like the Army has obviously disappointed the athletes, a sentiment that was shared by Harmeet Desai when the Gujarat government refused to pay him 1 crore and paid him 33 lakhs instead because his gold medal came in a team event. However, the principal secretary in the department of sports and youth affairs, Ashok Khemka said, "According to the previous sports policy, only the players who are domiciled in Haryana and played for the state were eligible for the prize money. "But this time a decision was taken to include those who are domiciled in Haryana but have sought jobs in other organisations under sports quota. I don't understand why they are boycotting the ceremony.' The amount of dissatisfaction among players regarding their cash prizes has not gone down very well with the general public, many of who allude to the fact that in most countries you do not get any rewards for winning a medal and that they should be grateful for the money that they are receiving. ALSO READ: Is the trend of showering cash prizes on athletes helpful?
Neeraj Chopra According to the state policy, a gold medallist is earmarked for 1.5 crores, a silver medallist 75 lakhs and a sum of 50 lakhs is awarded to a bronze medallist. In terms of jobs as well, Haryana rules indicate that a gold medallist, silver medallist and bronze medallist are eligible for Class A, Class B and Class C jobs in the government respectively. However, the deduction of the amount from their cash prizes that is being given by the institutions like the Army has obviously disappointed the athletes, a sentiment that was shared by Harmeet Desai when the Gujarat government refused to pay him 1 crore and paid him 33 lakhs instead because his gold medal came in a team event. However, the principal secretary in the department of sports and youth affairs, Ashok Khemka said, "According to the previous sports policy, only the players who are domiciled in Haryana and played for the state were eligible for the prize money. "But this time a decision was taken to include those who are domiciled in Haryana but have sought jobs in other organisations under sports quota. I don't understand why they are boycotting the ceremony.' The amount of dissatisfaction among players regarding their cash prizes has not gone down very well with the general public, many of who allude to the fact that in most countries you do not get any rewards for winning a medal and that they should be grateful for the money that they are receiving. ALSO READ: Is the trend of showering cash prizes on athletes helpful? Next Story
