Asian Games gold medallist heptathlete Swapna Barman Friday refused to comment on the Rs 10 lakh reward announced by the West Bengal government but said she would love to have a house in the city near her training base.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had promised Barman Rs 10 lakh and a government job a day after she scripted history by winning India's first-ever heptathlon gold medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta.
The announcement had come in for a lot of criticism with Haryana offering Rs 3 crore to each of their gold medalists while neighbouring Odisha also announced Rs 3 crore to sprinter Dutee Chand who won two silver medals.
"I have no comments. I have heard that the government has promised jobs to me and my brother. I have got a lot of offers and I am yet to decide," Barman told reporters on the sidelines of her felicitation function at the SAI complex.
Asked whether she has anything she wants from the state government, she said: "My only wish is to have a permanent residence near the SAI complex (in Salt Lake). I stay at the SAI complex now but if my performance is not there, I won't have a place to stay. So it would be hugely beneficial if the government could help me get a house."