Himachal Reverses Decision on Ritu Negi Award
Asian Games gold medalist and Arjuna awardee Ritu Negi will now receive a ₹1 crore cash award from the Himachal Pradesh government, following a swift reversal by the state cabinet. Her name was initially omitted from the list of beneficiaries, despite her crucial role in India's gold-winning women's kabaddi team.
Initial Exclusion Sparks Controversy
The controversy began when Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a ₹1 crore reward for members of Himachal Pradesh's women’s kabaddi team after India secured gold at the Asian Games in Japan. The initial list of recipients included Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur, and Bhawna Thakur, but notably excluded Negi, a former India captain.
This omission triggered significant criticism and raised questions about why a sportsperson of Negi's stature and achievement, who hails from the state, was left out.
Reason for Omission: Marriage Outside State
Reports suggested that Negi's marriage in Panipat, Haryana, was the primary reason for her exclusion from the revised award list, despite her origins in the Shillai region of Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh.
Expressing her disappointment, Negi stated, “Until a week ago, I was a daughter of Himachal,” adding that she could not understand “what changed so suddenly.” She has a distinguished career, having represented India at three consecutive Asian Games, where she won two gold medals and a silver.
Initially, the state government had indicated that the process of finalizing eligible players was still underway, with the Sports Department tasked to assess applications. The Chief Minister’s Principal Media Adviser also suggested that Negi’s absence from a group of players who met the chief minister may have contributed to her omission.
Cabinet Reinstates Award and Updates Policy
Following the widespread outcry and public debate, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet convened and decided to award ₹1 crore each to Negi and the three other kabaddi players.
Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan announced the decision after a Cabinet meeting in Shimla. He clarified, "Ritu Negi is married in Haryana and plays for the Railways in domestic tournaments. However, she belongs to the Shillai area of Sirmaur district, so it was decided to give her the cash award.”
Negi welcomed the decision, emphasizing that the issue transcended monetary value. “More than the cash award, it was a matter of respect and my connection with the state. I am still the daughter of Himachal,” she affirmed.
The Cabinet also approved modifications to the rules governing cash awards for members of medal-winning Indian teams. Under the newly revised provisions, the award may now be shared equally among eligible sportspersons from Himachal Pradesh who are part of such teams.