HC slams Haryana Power Utilities for snubbing tug-of-war athletes

The petitioners, employees of Haryana Power Utilities, sought travel allowance of Rs 3.13 lakh each for the Mannheim championship in September 2024. They pointed out that the Haryana Power Sports Group initially sanctioned the amount and issued a no-objection certificate, but withdrew support after a change of committee, reinstating participation only with the rider that no expenditure would be borne.

Their counsel argued this created a “legitimate expectation” of reimbursement. The court noted that one of the utilities, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL), had in fact reimbursed its employees for the same event, underlining arbitrary treatment.

Justice Brar observed that the petitioners could not be expected to abandon their plans “to justify the whimsical approach taken… in the eleventh hour.” He called the denial “antithetical” to national sports promotion, citing constitutional directives and government initiatives like Khelo India and Fit India.

“The State has made significant efforts in promotion of sports to not only promote public health but also foster national pride,” the order said, while lamenting systemic gaps such as “inadequate coaching, delayed stipends and bureaucratic obstructions.”

The court directed the utilities to consider the athletes’ representation of July 15, 2025, and pass a reasoned order after hearing them. If found entitled, reimbursement must follow “forthwith”, it added.