The Haryana government today courted controversy when it asked sportspersons employed by it to deposit one-third of their earnings from commercial and professional commitments to the state sports council but put the notification on hold after drawing sharp criticism from elite athletes. “I have asked for the relevant file of Sports Department to be shown to me & the notification dated April 30th to be put on hold till further orders,” Chief Minister M L Khattar tweeted.
His intervention came after athletes reacted sharply to the notification issued by Principal Secretary (Sports and Youth Department), Ashok Khemka. “One-third of the income earned by the sportsperson from professional sports or commercial endorsements will be deposited with the Haryana State Sports Council. The money shall be used for the development of sports in the State,” it stated.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anil Vij had also defended the move, insisting it was not aimed at income generated from amateur sports and said they are talking about income from professional sports. “It is government’s old rule/service rule, Rule 56, as per which if any government employee generates commercial income or professional income, then he shall have to deposit one-third of such earnings,” he added.
see also: Indian Women Athletes who are gorgeous than any supermodel
The athletes employed with the state government include star boxers Vijender Singh and Akhil Kumar, both of whom are DSPs in state police, hockey captain Sardar Singh and wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat. Sardar, Geeta and Babita are also employed with the Haryana Police.
Babita, who won a silver at the Gold Coast CWG, was the only one to react to the move, calling it disheartening. “This notification will hamper an athletes preparation. How can the government give such an order? We pay taxes over whatever we earn and now this notification to pay one-third,” Phogat said.
source: PTI
Post Your Comments