CLARIFICATION
A news item has been published
in the media dated June 16, 2003 mentioning that some wrestlers
who were medal winners in the Commonwealth Games, 2002 have returned
the prize money given to them by the Ministry of Youth Affairs
& Sports under the scheme of Special Awards to Winners in
International Sports Events and their Coaches on the ground that
the award money is being given in accordance with the existing
rates of the scheme and not according to the revised rates announced
by the then Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports.
This is to clarify that
the scheme of Special Awards to Winners in International Sports
Events and their Coaches is being revised to enhance the rates
of the cash awards in pursuance of the announcement made by the
then Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports. Since the scheme
is yet to be revised, cheques to medal winners have been made
out at the existing rates. To avoid the expiry of the validity
of the cheques by 30.6.2003, the cheques are being given to the
medal winners of the year 2002. After the revision of the scheme,
the balance amount will be paid to the medal winners of the year
2002 in an award ceremony to be held in Delhi this year. Along
with the cheques, a letter is also being sent to the medal winners
explaining the above facts.
The Ministry of Youth
Affairs & Sports stands by its commitment earlier made for
enhancement of the rates of awards. As soon as the scheme is revised
in an EFC meeting to be held shortly, prize money will be given
according to the revised rates to the medal winners of 2002.
