New Delhi, Feb 10 (IANS): Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju, informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday that 627 sportspersons are currently receiving monthly pensions under the Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons scheme.

Indian sportspersons winning medals in international sporting or paralympic events are eligible for lifelong pension upon retirement, or after attaining the age of 30 years, whichever is later.

In a written reply to a question, Rijiju said that monthly pensions, ranging between Rs 12,000 and Rs 20,000, are being disbursed under the scheme to medal winners at international sporting events such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, World Cups and World Championships .

The minister also informed the House that the government is coming to the aid of yesteryear sportspersons who have fallen on bad times.

Even sportspersons requiring medical treatment are recieving support through the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS), he said.

"These schemes are equally applicable to disabled sportspersons," Rijiju said.