Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that Congress would have sent wrestler Vinesh Phogat to Rajya Sabha if the party had the full number of MLAs. The Congress leader also met Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker and her parents at his residence. Hooda praised Vinesh Phogat's Olympic performance, stating that she had brought glory to the country.
“Her performance in this Olympics was excellent. She defeated the best wrestlers from all over the world. In the very first match, she defeated a wrestler from Japan who was undefeated till now. If she had not been disqualified, Vinesh would definitely have brought a gold medal for the country. Therefore, she should be given the same reward, respect and position as a gold medal winner by the state government. The Congress party feels that Vinesh Phogat should be sent to the Rajya Sabha. This will boost the morale of all the players and women and send a positive message across the country,” he said, referring to Phogat.
He then vowed to revive the 'Padak Lao, Pad Pao' policy, which rewards players with government appointments and cash incentives, if Congress forms the government in the state.
The 'Padak Lao, Pad Pao' policy, which was introduced during Hooda's tenure, provided appointments to players on high posts like DSP and a three percent quota in jobs. Hooda criticized the BJP government for abolishing this policy, stating that it had snatched the right of appointment to posts like Inspector and DSP from players.
Hooda promised to implement the 'Padak Lao, Pad Pao' policy again if Congress forms the government in the state. He emphasized the importance of encouraging sports and sportspersons at every level, from school competitions to Olympics, stating that it would be the priority of the Congress government.
"That is why during the Congress tenure, the sports policy of Padak Lao, Pad Pao' was made. In this, provision was made for appointment of players on high posts like DSP. The Congress government had given appointments to more than 750 players in government departments under the sports policy. Along with this, a provision of three percent quota in jobs was made for players. Congress had also started giving the highest cash reward amount of up to Rs 5 crore to the players in the country. This policy was appreciated not only in the whole country but all over the world,” he added.
“Today, BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh and Manipur are also following that policy of Congress, but it is unfortunate that the BJP government of Haryana has abolished this policy and snatched the right of appointment to posts like Inspector and DSP from the players. This government has also almost ended the 3 percent quota of players in jobs. But when Congress forms the government in the state, the policy of Padak Lao, Pad Pao' will be implemented again. Encouraging sports and sportspersons at every level from school competitions to Olympics will be the priority of the Congress government,” he promised.
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