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Patiala, Haryana’s sportspersons seem to be losing — on technical grounds — in their face-off with the state government over the ‘sports tax’ levied on them.
The Haryana Sports Department had issued a notification according to which sportspersons employed by the government had to pay 33% to 100% of their earnings from professional sports and commercial endorsements to the Haryana Sports Council. However, after the notification led to protests from sportspersons, the state government put this decision ‘on hold’.
Players got it wrong
The sportspersons reacted without actually fully understanding the service rules, which strictly prohibit any commercial activity which gives a periodic income to public servants. Income from non-periodic activities such as lectures, writing books or articles/essays can be retained by public servants, though such income must be reported to the government.
A majority of the Haryana athletes who have been upset with the notification work with the state police. “Appointed on the sports quota, they are withdrawing a salary from the state government. They wish to be exempt from the rules on the grounds that they represent the state/country and win medals,” said a coach, who did not want to be named.
Low returns
The notification reads: “One-third of the income earned by the sportsperson from professional sports or commercial endorsements will be deposited with the Haryana State Sports Council. The money will be used for the development of sport in the State.”
The math behind this notification does not lead to great numbers. A majority of the sportspersons from the state participate only in the professional wrestling and kabaddi leagues. Let’s look at the Pro Wrestling League (PWL). Last December at the PWL auction, Sushil Kumar became the costliest-ever wrestler at Rs 55 lakh. Vinesh Phogat was sold for Rs 40 lakh, Sakshi Malik for Rs 39 lakh and Geeta Phogat for Rs 28 lakh. In the inaugural auction, Yogeshwar Dutt was the most expensive Indian grappler at Rs. 39.70 lakh. The other wrestlers were bought for lower prices.
In boxing, some of the boxers who have recently turned pro don’t fall in the bracket of high-earning sportspersons. Moreover, unlike cricketers, a majority of these sportspersons don’t attract big brand endorsements — thanks to their low profile and earthy and simple lifestyle/background.
Thus, it’s clear that while the notification is backed by the rules, after taxes are paid by the athletes, the monetary gains to the state exchequer won’t be high.
“Legends like Yogeshwar, Sushil and the Phogat sisters have already contributed their bit by inspiring youth and boosting sports in the state,” said a sportsperson, who didn’t want to be named.
Olympics bronze-medallist Yogeshwar Dutt said: “This has never happened before in sports. If the aim was to uplift sports, we should have been consulted before issuing this diktat. We are ready to contribute, and we have been contributing in several ways.”
“I am running an academy of more than 200 kids,” he added. “The academy is run by me independently. I have not taken any financical help from any quarter.”
Experts believe that due to the popularity of the sportspersons, this spat can have an impact on next year’s State Aassembly elections. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda too spoke on the controversy. “The Khattar government has insulted sportspersons at many instances,” Hooda told The Tribune. “This new notification is one such example. It is completely absurd and it will demotivate the state’s sportspersons.”
