Punjab Cabinet offers govt job to wrestler Navjot Kaur

The Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday decided to offer a government job to wrestler Navjot Kaur, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold in the Senior Asian Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Besides, the Cabinet also decided to give her a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh.

Expressing appreciation for Navjot's excellent performance, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh mooted the proposal to offer a job to Navjot during a meeting of the state Cabinet here, an official release said.

The proposal came during an informal discussion with the entire Cabinet unanimous in congratulating the young woman for bringing laurels to the state by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold in the senior continental championship in the 65 kg freestyle category.

The Cabinet immediately accepted the chief minister's proposal and decided on a job offer in a suitable government position for the Tarn Taran girl, an official spokesperson said.

Presently, Navjot, 28, a native of Tarn Taran district, is working as a senior clerk in Railways.

Amarinder directed the concerned officials to work on a comprehensive policy for rewarding sports persons, specifying the criteria for providing job opportunity to those winning various medals.

Navjot won the gold after defeating Japan's Miya Imai 9-1 in a final bout of the women's 65kg freestyle category.

The opposition SAD had urged the Punjab government to offer DSP post to Navjot as was done in the case of cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur.