Kolkata, 15 September (H.S.): The West Bengal government has taken a major step towards providing financial assistance to former and senior sportspersons by formally notifying the Mukhyamantri Kirti Kridabid Samman Yojana. Under the scheme, eligible sportspersons will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000. The state government had earlier announced the scheme in its Budget.

According to the notification issued on Tuesday, an applicant must be at least 40 years old at the time of applying and must be a resident of West Bengal. The applicant must also have won a medal while representing West Bengal at a national-level sporting event or a competition of equivalent status.

Sportspersons who have represented India at international competitions, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and para-sporting events, will also be eligible under the scheme.

However, serving employees of the Central or state governments, banks or public sector undertakings will not be eligible for the honorarium. Sportspersons currently in active service with these institutions will therefore remain outside the ambit of the scheme.

Applicants will have to submit their applications to the District Magistrate of the district in which they reside. Applicants residing in Kolkata will have to submit their applications to the Joint Secretary concerned.

Eligible beneficiaries will also be required to submit a life certificate every year by November 30 to continue receiving the honorarium.

The state government has constituted a screening committee to scrutinise applications and select eligible beneficiaries under the scheme. The committee will be headed by an officer of the rank of Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary or Secretary.

The committee will include the Regional Director of the Sports Authority of India, a Secretary or Joint Secretary of the Sports Department, four sportspersons or sports personalities, and the Secretary of the state council concerned with sports.

All applicants fulfilling the prescribed eligibility criteria will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000 through the state Sports Department.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh