Lok Sabha Question No. 98 (STARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Pension under the Sports Scheme to Meritorious Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Satpal Brahamchari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 98 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

Pension under the Sports Scheme to Meritorious Sportspersons

†*98. Shri Satpal Brahamchari:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any steps taken/to be taken by the Government during the last  three  years  to  honour  the  former  sportspersons  who  have represented the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has ensured the welfare and kept a record of quality of life of said sportspersons and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the amount  of lifelong pension provided to the meritorious sportspersons  under  the  Sports  Scheme  and  the  number  of  such beneficiaries  particularly  in  the  Sonipat  Lok  Sabha  Constituency  of Haryana?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  98  FOR  ANSWER  ON  10/02/2025 REGARDING 'PENSION UNDER THE SPORTS SCHEME TO MERITORIOUS SPORTSPERSONS' BY SHRI SATPAL BRAHAMCHARI, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

- (a) & (b): Yes, Sir. To honour and recognize outstanding achievements of  sportsperson in the field of sports at international level who have represented the country, the Government confers them every year with National Sports Awards namely Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna  Award,  Arjuna  Award  (Life-time),  Dronacharya  Award  and Dronacharya (Life-time) Award. The names of Awardees are available on website of Department of Sports.
- (c): For welfare of National and International level Indian sportspersons, the Government has:
- (i) 'Pandit  Deendayal  Upadhyay  National  Welfare  Fund  Scheme  for Sportspersons'  (PDUNWFS)  which  provides  suitable  financial assistance ranging from ₹2 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs to the sportspersons / coaches and their dependent family members living in indigent conditions, for treatment of injury during training and competitions, welfare of the sportspersons, procurement of sports equipment and participation in events etc.
- (ii) Scheme of Pension to Meritorious Sportsperson provides lifetime pension  ranging  from  ₹12,000/-  to  ₹20,000/-  per  month  to  the eligible sportspersons as per guidelines of the scheme.
- (iii) The Ministry has launched the Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training (RESET) Programme on 29.08.2024, which aims  at  facilitating  retired  athletes'  career  development  by providing them tailor-made education for their academic enhancement  supplemented  with  internship  and  empowering

them with the necessary knowledge and skills for their transition into a suitable career option.

The  details  of  above  said  schemes  are  available  at  website  of Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

(d): The  'Scheme  of  Pension  to  Meritorious  Sportsperson'  provides additional  financial  security  to  sportspersons  post  retirement  from active  sports  career  in  the  form  of  life-time  pension  ranging  from ₹12,000/- to ₹20,000/- per month. The sportspersons, who are retired from  an  active  sports  career  and  won  medals  in  Olympic  Games, Paralympic  Games,  World  Cup,  World  Championships,  Asian  Games, Para Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, are eligible for life-time pension under the scheme. Under the scheme, there are six beneficiaries, who belongs to Sonipat district of Haryana.

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