Paswan announces cash rewards

Union Minister for Steel Ram Vilas Paswan announced a slew of cash rewards for the Olympians who brought laurels for the country by winning medals in the Beijing Games.

Union Minister for Steel Ram Vilas Paswan on Friday announced a slew of cash rewards for the Olympians who brought laurels for the country by winning medals in the Beijing Games.

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Paswan announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for boxer Vijender Kumar, who settled for a bronze on Friday after going down to Cuban Emilio Correa Bayeaux in the semifinals of the 75 kg category.

Rewards were also showered on grappler Sushil Kumar and shooter Abhinav Bindra, who won a bronze and a gold in the men's 66 kg freestyle wrestling and 10m air rifle event respectively.

While Sushil will be given a sum of Rs 25 lakh, Bindra will be rewarded Rs 15 lakh on behalf of Steel Authority of India (SAIL).

"Two years back we had initiated a process of promoting the budding sportsmen of the country every year and we have stood by Sushil, who apart from being a wrestler is also a railway employee," said Paswan, who is in Jamshedpur for a health camp organised by the SAIL.