Shib Sundar Das, one of the veteran Ranji players, to get benefit

Cuttack, March 18: The past and present Ranji cricketers from Orissa, including those who have played first-class cricket matches, are in for a treat.

Some 109 state players will receive a monthly pension for life — starting from this month.

The Orissa Cricket Association will spend about Rs 31 lakh each year for the welfare of former and present Ranji cricketers, as well as first-class match players.

The first instalment of cheques was delivered yesterday when the bhoomi puja and foundation stone laying ceremony for Barabati Stadium’s makeover was performed.

The decision regarding this was taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to mark its platinum jubilee in 2004.

The state cricket association is implementing the order from this year.

The pension scheme has been drafted in such a way that it would benefit even those players who played a single first-class match.

“The three-tier scheme is for cricketers who played 1-26 Ranji or first-class matches. While those who have played between 16 and 26 matches, will get a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000, those who represented the state 5-15 times will receive Rs 3,000,” said Asirvad Behera, the secretary of the state panel.

“A monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 has been earmarked for those players who have played 1-4 matches,” he added.

Of the 109 players, 16 fall in the Rs 5,000-category, 27 in the Rs 3,000 category and the rest in the Rs 1,500 category.

A state panel spokesperson clarified that the monthly pension would be provided to the players as long as they are alive.

However, after the demise of the players the benefits would not be extended to their nominees.

Allowance for doctors

Describing a doctor’s job as “arduous”, chief minister Naveen Patnaik today declared that the state government’ decision to start a specialist allowance of Rs 3,000 per month for all Orissa doctors, in the medical service cadre holding specialist posts.