'Was it a Jumla?': Manu Bhaker reminds Haryana sports minister Anil Vij of Rs 2 crore cash prize promise

In October 2018, 16-year-old professional shooter Manu Bhaker created history after she became the first Indian shooter to win a gold at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Argentina. Hailing her victory for the country, Haryana Sports Minister Anil Vij had announced a cash prize of Rs 2 crore to the teenage shooting sensation.

However, when the Haryana government did not fulfil its 'promise' towards the sportswoman, she took to social media to question the cabinet minister about the reward.

Posting screenshots of the tweets by Anil Vij, she asked the Sports Minister, 'if it is correct or just a Jumla(false promise)':

READ:  Youth Olympics 2018: Manu Bhaker Wins Second Medal, Hockey India Enjoys Successful Outing

After Bhaker had become the first Indian shooter to win gold at Youth Olympics, Vij had tweeted, "Congratulations to Manu Bhaker for winning shooting gold in Youth Olympics.

"Haryana government will give a cash prize of Rs 2 crore to Manu Bhaker for winning this gold. Previous governments used to pay Rs 10 lakh only."

 

Furthermore, the shooter also felt that someone in the Haryana government has been playing "games" with the money that was to be awarded to the medallists. In another tweet, she wrote:

As per the state government's changed policy, which came into effect before the Youth Olympics, Rs 2 crore was marked for the gold medallists, Rs 1.25 crore for silver medallists and Rs 80 lakh for the bronze winners. Before that, the YOG medallists would get Rs 10 lakh, Rs 7.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh in descending order.

However, the government again revised its policy last December and brought the amount down to Rs 1 crore for gold, Rs 65 lakh for silver and Rs 40 lakh for the bronze medallists.

The 16-year-old Bhaker, hailing from Goria village in Haryana's Jhajjar, gained the attention of the country with her steller performances in shooting ranges across the world, winning multiple gold medals in her maiden senior World Cup, Commonwealth Games, besides the first prize at the Youth Olympics.

READ: Aim Is To Secure Olympic Quota Place: Manu Bhaker

(With PTI inputs)