London Olympics silver medal winning shooter Vijay Kumar was Thursday promoted as Subedar Major and was given a cash award of Rs.30 lakh along with a commendation card by Indian Army chief Gen. Bikram Singh, a statement said.
“I am happy with the promotion. I have no issues with the Army. It is because of them I am here but thinking about one’s career is not also bad. So I have kept my points and if something positive comes out, I will continue in Army,” Vijay told reporters after a felicitation programme.
“It is not an officer-rank post. It is a junior commissioned rank, not a senior commissioned rank (officer post). My request for a senior commissioned rank is pending and in 5-6 months, we will get the result.
“(Ajay) Maken sir has also assured … the cabinet has also passed a regulation that if you bring medal then IAS-rank jobs will be given. So let’s see,” he added.
Elaborating on his promotion, Vijay said, “It was a pending decision. It has been cleared now. Two promotions out of turn is allowed and I was given that. Last year, I had filled up a willing form in seniority.
The army chief also felicitated 13 other sportsmen from the army who represented the country at the just-concluded London Olympics and gave them a cash award of Rs.1 lakh each and commendation cards, the statement said.