Harmanpreet Kaur Not Allowed to Join as DSP in Punjab Police

India’s cricket star Harmanpreet Kaur has not been relieved by the Western Railway.

File photo of Harmanpreet Kaur.

(Photo: AP)

India’s cricket star Harmanpreet Kaur has found herself in a bit of a tussle regarding her employment in a government body. The 28-year-old, who was offered the DSP’s post in Punjab Police in July last year, has not been able to take it up because she is not being relieved by the Western Railway, where she worked as an Office Superintendent, according to The Indian Express.

Harmanpreet, who scored an unbeaten 171 against Australia in the Women’s World Cup last year, signed a five-year bond when she was employed by the Railways three years ago.

Harmanpreet told The Indian Express that the Railways hasn’t paid the cricketer her salary for the last five months, even though Harmanpreet’s resignation has not been accepted. The cricketer tendered her resignation when she was offered the DSP post. Western Railway has said that the cricketer will have to pay Rs 27 lakh if she wishes to resign before the end of the five-year term.

After the World cup, it has been five months that I have not been paid any salary. I am jobless. I am neither getting any salary from Railway nor from Punjab government.

Harmanpreet Kaur told <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/tricky-pitch-padded-up-for-dsp-job-harmanpreet-kaur-faces-railway-googly-indian-women-world-cup-team-5030816/">The Indian Express</a>

Reportedly, the Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has sought relaxation for Harmanpreet Kaur from the Union Railway Ministry more than once. Amarinder Singh requested Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal through a letter on Monday to consider Harmanpreet Kaur’s case “on a different footing”.

I would like to request you that the case of Harmanpreet Kaur is different wherein the condition of bond should not apply as she is not leaving the government for a private job. Rather she is joining the state government from a Central Government Organisation for better career prospects. If she is not allowed to join as DSP by imposing the bond by the Railways, it would be unfair to her and amount to punishing rather than rewarding her outstanding performance in cricket.

Amarinder Singh’s letter to Piyush Goyal

However, Western Railway General Manager Anil Kumar Gupta expressed that the condition of bond applies for Harmanpreet, regardless if she is moving to a government or private job.

Railway Board recruits people under sports quota and there is a condition of five year bond. In case they want to leave earlier (than five years) they have to reimburse the salary of five years. If they deposit the amount, they are allowed to go.

Anil Kumar Gupta to <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/tricky-pitch-padded-up-for-dsp-job-harmanpreet-kaur-faces-railway-googly-indian-women-world-cup-team-5030816/">The Indian Express</a>

When told about Punjab Chief Minister’s letter to the Union Railway Minister, Gupta was clear that the Railways will follow the decision made by the Railway Board. Gupta also said that there is no precedent about a similar relaxation being allowed, according to his knowledge.

Not in my knowledge. As far as my knowledge and whatever information we have got from Railway, there is no such precedent.

Anil Kumar Gupta to <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/tricky-pitch-padded-up-for-dsp-job-harmanpreet-kaur-faces-railway-googly-indian-women-world-cup-team-5030816/">The Indian Express</a>

Harmanpreet Kaur underwent medical tests and other formalities, but she was not allowed to take up the DSP post in the last week of October.

The IAS officer I met told me that my resignation had not been accepted by the Railways and I have not been relieved.

Harmanpreet Kaur told <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/tricky-pitch-padded-up-for-dsp-job-harmanpreet-kaur-faces-railway-googly-indian-women-world-cup-team-5030816/">The Indian Express</a>

Harmanpreet, who was promoted as Officer on Special Duty (Sports) in Western Railway after her terrific performance in the World Cup, rejected the promotion and tendered her resignation.

They promoted me after learning that I had got an offer from Punjab government. But, I told them that I wanted to go home.

Harmanpreet Kaur told <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/tricky-pitch-padded-up-for-dsp-job-harmanpreet-kaur-faces-railway-googly-indian-women-world-cup-team-5030816/">The Indian Express</a>

The Sports Officer of Western Railway did not move Harmanpreet’s resignation file in the first month after she tendered her resignation. The issue of the bond was raised in the second month.

Actually, I wanted to talk to some reporter (to raise the issue), but thought that I should not be mistaken as if I am speaking against the Railways. Railways was my last hope and had given me a job when Punjab government had turned down my request (five years ago). I hope, the Railways will not give me bond waiver so that I can go to my home state.

Harmanpreet Kaur told <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/tricky-pitch-padded-up-for-dsp-job-harmanpreet-kaur-faces-railway-googly-indian-women-world-cup-team-5030816/">The Indian Express</a>

“I think there is a rule that bond gets shifted when you change one government job to other. Punjab Chief Minister has taken up my case for three to four times, but nothing has happened so far,” added Harmanpreet.

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