New Delhi: The Kerala government has decided to appoint champion middle-distance runner P U Chithra to a post in government service once the Asian Games is over.
Chithra, hailing from a financially backward family in Mundoor in Palakkad, had been called for an interview by the Tamil Nadu Income Tax Office, Chennai, last month, but she could not attend as she was training at Bhutan’s capital Thimphu as part of preparations for the Asian Games in Indonesia.
The assurance came after the issue was brought to the notice of Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs A C Moideen, said M B Rajesh MP.
A 17-member Indian team, including Chithra, were in Bhutan for four weeks from May 21 to June 20 to undergo high-altitude training ahead of the continental event scheduled to be held in Indonesia between August 18 and September 2. Although the 23-year-old requested the Tamil Nadu Income Tax authorities to reschedule the interview, she did not receive a favourable reply.
Rajesh, who represents the Palakkad constituency, had brought up the incident when Lok Sabha debated on the bill to create a national sports university recently, but the Income Tax Department refused to change its stance despite his intervention.
“Do not worry about the job, the government will take care of it. Do your best at the Asian Games and try to win a gold,” was the message from the sports minister to Chithra.
Earlier the government had decided to provide Chithra with a scholarship of Rs 10,000 per month in addition to a daily allowance of Rs 500 for her training and food expenses.
