Kolkata, Jun 4 (IANS): The West Bengal government Friday gave Rs.5 lac to star athlete Susmita Singha Roy to ensure she does not migrate to some other state.

"Susmita had expressed a wish to leave Bengal and settle in Jharkhand hoping to get better opportunity. Hearing the news we called Sushmita and her coach and persuaded her to change her mind. She has assured us she will not leave Bengal," said Sports Minister Madan Mitra.

Susmita, the Beijing Olympian and national heptathlon champion, had expressed a desire to shift base to Jharkhand to prepare herself for next year's London Olympics.

"Heptathlon is a traditional event. It is costly. The previous government (Left Front) did nothing to ensure she continued her pet event. I have spoken to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and she asked me to go all out to help Susmita, so that she doesn't leave Bengal," said Mitra.

Mitra said other athletes who have migrated to other states would also be persuaded to return to West Bengal.