Railways ask Indian cricketer to pay 27 lakhs

India Women’s team star Harmanpreet Kaur is a household name now. She got into the limelight after her heroics in the Women’s World Cup 2017. Kaur became an overnight celebrity after she scored 171 runs against Australia in the semi-final last year. Following the team’s stupendous performance she was bestowed with Arjuna award by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports government of India.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag is Kaur’s idol and she abides by his mantra of ‘See the ball, Hit the ball’. The 28-year-old represents the new-age of Women cricketers in India. She is part of a generation that has been at the centre of ad campaigns, endorsements and overseas T20 league contracts.

She is the first ever cricketer from India to have signed a Big Bash League deal. Also, she became the first Indian to sign with Surrey Stars in ECB’s Kia Super League. However, she is now facing troubles with her job.

Kaur is now jobless

Three years back, Harmanpreet joined the Indian Railways (Western) as an Office Superintendent under sports quota. She had then signed a five-year contract with the Railways. However, she has been jobless for the last five months. She was offered the DSP position in the Punjab Police Department last year. But there are uncertain clouds all over for Kaur now as the Railways rejected her resignation.

The Western Railways refused to relieve her citing the five-year contract. The Western Railways, according to a report, is “demanding Rs 27 lakh” as a compensation for not being able to abide by the agreement.

Kaur wishes to take up the offered position with the Police Department and when she was contacted by the media, the Punjab cricketer confirmed that the Railways had not paid her for the last five months. “I worked for three years only. But, they are asking for the salary of five years to waive off the bond and relieve me,” Harman said.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has come out in support of the cricketer. He has reportedly taken up the matter with the Union Railway Ministry on more than one occasion to seek relaxation for her.