Manipur to give Rs.75 lakh to Mary Kom

Imphal: The Manipur government has increased the cash reward and other benefits for Olympic bronze medallist M.C. Mary Kom, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said Wednesday.

"The government has increased the cash reward of London Olympics medal winning boxer Mary Kom from Rs.50 lakh to Rs.75 lakh. She will also be promoted to the rank of superintendent of police from the present deputy superintendent of Manipur Police," Singh told a gathering after unfurling the national flag here at Independence Day celebrations. He said three other sportspersons from Manipur who took part in the London Olympics -- L. Devendro Singh (boxing), L. Bombayla Devi (archery) and Ng Soniya Chanu (weightlifting) -- would also be given Rs.20 lakh each and government jobs according to their qualifications. The Manipur government last week announced an award of Rs.50 lakh for Mary Kom. The state government said Mary Kom would also be given two acres of land at Meitei Langol village on the outskirts of Imphal. A Manipur government official told reporters here other organisations and states which had announced cash award for the ace pugilist included Assam government (Rs.20 lakh), Arunachal Pradesh government (Rs.10 lakh), North Eastern Council (Rs.40 lakh) and union ministry of tribal affairs (Rs.10 lakh). IANS