Pension doubled for former sportspersons

New Delhi: Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Thursday said that the rate of pension for sportspersons who have won medals in international competitions and have retired from active sports, has been doubled from April 1.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha on Thursday, Rathore said at present the government gives lifelong pension to 588 players under the scheme of ‘Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons.'

According to the revised rates, Olympic and Para Olympic medallists will get a sum of Rs 20,000 per month each, while gold medallists at World Cups and World Championships in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines will receive Rs 16,000 per month.

Silver and bronze medallists at World Cups in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines will receive a sum of Rs 14,000 per month and an equal amount is payable to gold medallists of the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Para Asian Games.

Silver and bronze medallists of the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Para Asian Games will receive Rs 12,000 per month.