Vinesh Phogat accepts cash reward of Rs 4 crore from BJP govt in Haryana

Wrestler-turned-Congress MLA Vinesh Phogat has chosen a cash prize of Rs 4 crore offered by the BJP-led Haryana government. She had the option of picking from among a cash reward, a residential plot, or a Group A government job under the state’s sports policy. This was the state’s attempt to honour her with benefits equivalent to an Olympic silver medallist, despite her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics.

These rewards fall under the purview of the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP).

Under its sports policy, the Haryana government offers top



athletes, including Olympians, a deputy director-level post in the sports department.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had promised to reward Phogat as an Olympic medallist in August 2024, after she was disqualified from the final of the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling category for exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams.

In March this year, Phogat, now a Congress MLA from Julana in Jind district, raised the issue of the unfulfilled promise during the Haryana Assembly’s budget session.

"It is not about money. It is about respect," she said.