The government on Wednesday decided to hike the minimum income level of outstanding sportspersons living in indigent circumstances and eligible for the annual financial assistance to Rs two lakh from a paltry Rs 36,000 per annum.

The decision to give over five-fold increase in sportspersons' pay, which will be effective July 1, was taken during a meeting of the General Committee, the apex body for managing the National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons, under the chairmanship of Sports Minister M S Gill.

The General Committee also revised the definition of an 'outstanding sportsperson' who could avail the financial benefit from the government.

"An outstanding sportsperson means a person who has achieved a position within first three in individual events or within first two in team events in a recognised national championship, or one who represents or has represented the country in an international competition at least twice," said a statement.

This is the first time since 1994 that the monetary ceiling has been revised by the government.

The committee also decided to hike the financial assistance to a sportsperson and his family in case of fatal injury sustained during an international competition or in course of training for the same to Rs 5 lakh from the existing Rs 1 lakh.

The government also increased the monthly pension to sportspersons.