Harmanpreet Kaur to wait for promotion to SP despite World Cup glory; Punjab to reward 3 cricketers Rs 1.5 crore each

The Punjab government is preparing to honour three state players who were part of India’s World Cup-winning women’s cricket team, with each likely to receive a cash award of Rs 1.5 crore. However, team captain and Deputy Superintendent of Police Harmanpreet Kaur is unlikely to get an immediate promotion in the police force.

Sources said that in addition to the cash prize, Harleen Deol and Amanjot Kaur are expected to be offered government jobs. The state had earlier inducted nine hockey players into the Punjab Civil Services after their bronze-medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A formal felicitation ceremony will be organised after Harmanpreet Kaur returns to the state. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is expected to interact with the players, though it remains uncertain if it will mirror Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s televised conversation with the team and support staff.

While exploring options for a special honour or professional incentive for Harmanpreet Kaur, officials clarified that her promotion to Superintendent of Police (SP) is not feasible at present. She was appointed DSP only in 2024 and requires additional years of service to qualify for the next rank.

Notably, hockey player Manpreet Singh, also a DSP with Punjab Police, has been awaiting his promotion to SP since 2021, despite an announcement by then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Sangrur MP and former Sports Minister Meet Hayer recently indicated that the Chief Minister would soon make a formal announcement. Officials said all preparations for the awards have been finalised and will be made public after Harmanpreet’s return.

Harmanpreet’s police career had faced a setback in 2018, when she was demoted from DSP to constable following questions over her graduation degree from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, which was not UGC-affiliated at the time. The controversy erupted shortly after her appointment as DSP in March 2018, following her heroics in the 2017 Women’s World Cup.

Kaur had maintained that she had legitimately cleared her exams and used the same degree for her earlier job with the Railways. The government refrained from legal action and retained her as a constable until she completed her educational qualifications. She was reinstated as DSP in 2024 after earning a degree through distance education from Lovely Professional University.

The Indian women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, created history last week by winning its first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai.