Concerned over a sportswoman battling hardship and financial adversity, the Punjab government today announced a residence for her in Amritsar.
"The Punjab Government today announced its decision to immediately allot an Medium Income Group (MIG) residence to the athlete in Amritsar where she and her family have been battling hardship and financial adversity. The star and her family had been forced to live in a cowshed because they couldn't afford a roof over their head," an official spokesman said here.
The action came from the government after a section of media highlighted the plight of national icon, Asiad medallist and one of the Rio Olympics hopefuls Khushbir Kaur.
Deputy chief minister Skhbir Singh Badal, who had learnt of Khushbir Kaur's "pathetic plight" in Amritsar only last evening, took up the matter with the chief minister today.
He apprised chief minister Parkash Singh Badal about what he had been told about Khushbir and her family and urged Badal for the allotment of an MIG house to the national sports icon, the spokesman said.
Sukhbir, in his visit to Amritsar, had brought with him the details of the athlete's family and of the conditions in which they were forced to spend their life due to economic hardships.
"I am deeply pained to see our heroic star suffering this neglect and adversity. Our government which is committed to uplift the poor, the meritorious and the sports fraternity, has to come to her aid," he pleaded with the chief minister who assured him of all help to the "daughter of Punjab who has made all of Punjab and country proud".
Later, the concerned officers were also called in and told to expedite the allotment of an MIG residence to the sports star and her family, the spokesman said.
Khushbir Kaur had bagged a silver medal for India in the 20 kilometer walk at the 2014 Incheon Asia Games.
She is currently in Portugal preparing for the Rio Olympics.
Meanwhile, Amritsar's Khalsa College Governing Council today handed over Rs 5 lakh cheque to Khushbir Kaur's family.
The special grant from the management of Khalsa College for Women (KCW), where Khushbir is MA first year student, was meant to re-construct house at her native village Rasoolpur Nikkah near Chwok Mehta about 25 kilometers from Amritsar, KCGC honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina along with Principal of the College Dr Sukhbir Kaur Mahal said.
