Vinesh Phogat opts out of govt job, land plots; opts for Rs 4cr award from Haryana admin

Almost two weeks after the Haryana government presented three options to wrestler-turned-Congress MLA Vinesh Phogat under its sports policy, she chose to accept the Rs 4 crore cash reward.

In a cabinet meeting held on March 25, the Haryana government had given Phogat, an MLA from Julana, three options: a cash prize of Rs 4 crore, a ‘Group A’ job, or a plot allotment through the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP).

A family member told The Indian Express on Thursday that a letter confirming her choice was submitted to the state sports department on Tuesday.

According to Haryana’s sports policy, outstanding athletes, including Olympians, are eligible for deputy director-level positions in the sports department.

However, the family member explained that since Phogat is currently serving as an MLA, she cannot take a government job. They added that the cash option gives her the flexibility to buy land based on her family's needs, Indian Express reported.

Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics through a procedural decision. Given the circumstances at the time, Saini had then said in a post on X that he would not allow her honour to be diminished.

Following the state cabinet meeting on March 25, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated that since Vinesh Phogat is now serving as an MLA, the government decided to let her choose which benefit she would prefer to receive.

He mentioned that the three options provided to her are the same as those given to sportspersons who have won silver medals, in line with the state's sports policy.

Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics due to a procedural decision. At the time, Saini had posted on X, assuring that he would not let her dignity be compromised under any circumstances.