Dangal | Updates and Discussion Thread - Page 31

CHANDIGARH: After HC prod and ahead of the release of the biopic "Dangal", the Haryana government has decided to promote Olympian woman wrestler Geeta Phogat to the post of deputy superintendent of police (DSP). In the movie to be released on December 23, Aamir Khan is donning the role of popular Haryanavi wrestler and Olympics coach Mahavir Phogat, whose daughter Geeta, 27, became the first woman wrestler from India to win a gold medal in Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010.

Geeta is also the first Indian woman wrestler to have qualified for the Olympics. Her sister Babita Phogat and cousin Vinesh Phogat are also Commonwealth Games gold medalists. The state cabinet, in its meeting chaired by chief minister, approved the proposal of state home department to promote Geeta Phogat. Documents ac cessed by TOI show that in a mee ting headed by chi ef secretary on Au gust 7, 2014, during the Congress's Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led regime, the name of Geeta Phogat was recommended for her appointment as group 'B' post (DSP) in the state police as per the police of state government for outstanding players. This recommendation was even approved by the chief minister in the file of sports department.

However, it took more than two years in her promotion to the post of DSP and that too after the invention of Punjab and Haryana high court. Few months back, Phogat had moved the high court seeking directions to the state government to give her an appointment in consistence with her achievements. The high court had directed the Haryana government to decide her representation within two months. The previous Congress government had taken a policy decision to offer appointments and out-of-turn promotions to the players with significant sports achievement after March 5, 2005. As per the policy she was eligible for the post of DSP.

However, she was selected as inspector in the Haryana Armed Police, Madhuban, under the sports quota in 2012. It is also said that the other similarly situated sportspersons or candidates, who won medals and were appointed to the post of DSP as per their achievements.

According to the officials, as many as 17 sportspersons have already been appointed DSP out of total 19 posts under the quota. At present the total cadre strength of DSPs is 230 in the state.

Meanwhile, the state cabinet on Tuesday also approved the proposal of the home department to appoint mountaineer Ram Lal as sub-inspector in state police under the sports quota.

New panel to prevent discrimination

The cabinet on Tuesday decided to constitute a sub-committee to look into all aspects of giving employment to outstanding sportspersons under sports quota in the state. The decision to constitute the sub-committee was taken to prevent any discrimination with the outstanding sportspersons and check delays. Sports and youth affairs minister Anil Vij will be the chairman of the sub-committee.Other members of the panel include: Agriculture minister Om Prakash Dhankar, additional chief secretary (sports) K K Khandelwal and additional chief secretary (home) Ram Niwas.