Union minister of state (Independent charge) for youth affairs and sports Kiren Rijiju on Monday told the Rajya Sabha that the pension amount of meritorious sportspersons of the country has been increased.
The Olympic and Para Olympic Games medalists will now get a pension of Rs 20,000 per month.
The gold medal winners of World Cup and World Champions of Olympic and Asian Games disciplines will also be given a pension of Rs 16,000 per month.
Moreover, the silver and bronze medalists at the World Cup in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines will get a pension of Rs 14,000 per month.
While the gold medalists of Asian, Commonwealth and Para Asian Games will now be able to get a pension of Rs 14000 per month, the silver and bronze medalists can get a pension of Rs 12,000 per month.
Besides the pension provisions for the ex-athletes shown below, players who have won medals in National level Games or have participated in International Sports Events and living indigent life or living under financial distress can approach the Ministry for financial assistance. pic.twitter.com/LFxzLaIwlC
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) July 1, 2019
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Rijiju stated that retired sportspersons are provided service opportunities against sports quota in Central government departments.
He also stated that retired sportspersons are also supported to set up academies and coaching facilities under National Development Sports Fund.
Rijiju stated on his Twitter handle that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking all possible steps to provide suitable financial assistance to former sportspersons.
He also urged the meritorious sportspersons to approach the sports ministry for financial assistance if they are facing financial difficulties.