Congress will again implement 'Padak Lao, Pad Pao' policy in the state after forming government: Former CM Hooda

Rohtak, July 29, 2024. Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the ‘Padak Lao, Pad Pao’ scheme will be implemented again for sportspersons when the Congress government is formed in the state. 

While talking to media persons in Rohtak today, Hooda said sportspersons will also be given three percent quota in jobs again, and stadiums will be built in villages like before and all facilities will be provided in them to strengthen the sports infrastructure in the state. He said diet, allowances, coaching and all facilities will be given to children at school level to promote sports talent from the beginning. 

Hooda once again congratulated shooter Manu Bhaker on winning the Olympic medal. “Manu was fully confident about the medal this time” he said and wished Manu Bhaker and all the players the best for the upcoming competitions and expressed hope that the country will win many medals.

Hooda said that the government should not show any negligence in giving respect and reward to the players. “BJP stopped Congress' 'Padak Lao, Pad Pao' policy and deprived the players of the right to be appointed to senior posts like DSP. The government has not promoted the players who became DSPs during Congress tenure,” he said. 

“Hundreds of sports stadiums were built in villages during Congress tenure, but BJP did not even maintain them properly. BJP also stopped the school level sports competition SPAT started by Congress. Haryana has got only 3 percent share from the 'Khelo India' budget. Whereas Haryana's players bring the maximum number of medals in sports. It is clear from all these things that it wants to make the youth of Haryana drug addicts, not sportspersons,” he pointed out.

Answering a question about the 'Haryana Maange Hisaab' campaign, Hooda said that BJP seems to be running away from all the questions because it does not have a single work worth showcasing, whereas Congress is going among the public with its work despite being in the Opposition. He said the BJP wants to get votes by showing the work of Congress, despite being in power for 10 years.