Centre announces cash rewards for Paralympians

The Centre, on Wednesday announced a total cash reward of Rs 90 lakh for the four Paralympians, who won medals for India at the Rio Paralympics.

While gold medallists, paralympic high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu and javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia will be rewarded Rs 30 lakh each. Deepa Malik, who won a silver medal in shot put will get Rs 20 lakh. High jumper Varun Singh Bhati, who won a bronze medal, will be rewarded Rs 10 lakh.

The cash reward will be given by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot under the Awareness Generation and Publicity (AGP) scheme.

"Indian para-athletes bagged impressive four medals at the Rio Paralympics 2016 and made history. The success of para athletes has made India proud. The department has decided to give a cash prize of total Rs 90 lakh to the medal winners," said Thawar Chand Gehlot.

It was India's best-ever performance in Paralympics history with Thangavelu making a leap of 1.89 metres to bag the gold medal, while Bhati jumped his personal best of 1.86 m to finish third and won bronze.

Jhajharia clinched gold in javelin throw, while Malik bagged silver in shot put and became the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Paralympics games.