CHANDIGARH, 10 Nov — The Punjab government is set to honour the three state players who were part of India’s World Cup-winning women’s cricket team, with each expected to receive a cash prize of ₹1.5 crore, officials said.
However, team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who serves as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), is unlikely to receive an immediate promotion in the police force, despite her leadership in India’s historic T20 World Cup victory over South Africa in Mumbai last week.
Sources said Harleen Deol and Amanjot Kaur will also be offered government jobs as part of the state’s recognition plan. The Punjab government had earlier appointed nine hockey players to the Punjab Civil Services following their bronze-medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
A formal felicitation ceremony will be held once Harmanpreet returns to the state. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is expected to meet the players, though it is unclear whether the event will resemble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s televised interaction with the team and support staff.
Officials said that while a special honour for Harmanpreet is being considered, her promotion to Superintendent of Police (SP) is not yet possible as she was appointed DSP only this year and must complete the required years of service.
Notably, hockey player Manpreet Singh, also a DSP, has been awaiting his promotion to SP since 2021 despite an earlier announcement by then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Sangrur MP Meet Hayer recently indicated that Chief Minister Mann would soon make a formal announcement. Preparations for the ceremony have been finalised and will be made public after Harmanpreet’s return, officials said.
Harmanpreet’s police career had earlier faced a setback when her 2018 appointment as DSP was revoked over questions regarding her degree from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. The university was not UGC-affiliated at the time, and she was demoted to constable until she completed a new degree through Lovely Professional University. She was reinstated as DSP in 2024.
