"The issue has been sorted out and we have released the payment due to him. We admit our fault but it all happened due to some accounting error on our part. His salary has been approved since February and we have informed the NRAI about it," SAI Director General Desh Deepak Verma told PTI.
The 75-year-old Ukranian signed his contract in February but was without salary thanks to SAI's lackadaisical attitude.
Piddubnyii had claimed that he has been working with the Indian team for the last nine months but SAI is only taking into account his tenure from February and not talking about the five months before it.
When asked, another SAI official said, "It (salary) has been calculated on a pro-rata basis and that's why he was paid from February."
The young and talented trio of Rahi Sarnobat, Heena Sidhu and Annu Raj Singh are training under Piddubnyii.
National Rifle Association of India confirmed that it has received a communication from SAI about the release of funds.
"We have received communication from SAI stating that his salary has been paid," NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia said.
Barely managing to train his wards with a limited budget over the last few months, Piddubnyii has been helped by Gagan Narang's Gun for Glory academy, with whom he is employed.
Meanwhile, Verma also informed that funds have been released to the Archery Association of India (AAI) for purchase of equipments for the Olympic-bound archers preparing for the June 18-24 final Olympic qualifying tournament at Ogden (USA).
"The money has been given to the AAI to purchase the equipments. We have credited funds into AAI's account. We have directly authorised them to procure the equipments required for the training and settle the bills later," he said.
