Government employees getting 4th place in non-athletic events to get incentives

NEW DELHI: Central government employees achieving even the fourth position in a non-athletic sporting event will now be entitled to special incentives.

The Ministry of Personnel has changed a six-year-old rule in this regard ahead of Rio Olympics 2016, scheduled to begin in August 5.

In the case of non-athletic or equivalent sporting events, individuals or members of teams achieving first and second positions in the finals and both the losing semi-finalists achieving third and fourth places shall be said to have achieved excellence for the purpose of grant of incentives or increment, it said in a new order.

However, the grant of incentives to those achieving third and fourth positions is subject to a condition that more than three individuals or teams have participated in the sporting event.

"This benefit, however, is allowable to only one individual or team, if the number of individuals or teams that participate in a sporting event is less than three," the ministry said.

The period of participation in a national or international sporting event, including the time spent in travelling to and fro, by central government employees are considered as working days and they are entitled to salary.

They also get special casual leave of 30 days in a year.

As per a 2010 rule, sportspersons participating in sporting events (both individual and team events) of national and international importance would be treated as having achieved excellence for the purpose of grant of increment if he or she achieves first, second or third position in the finals of the events.