New Delhi, Aug 12: Recommendations have been received for conferring the Bharat Ratna on hockey great Major Dhayan Chand and they have been forwarded to the Prime Minister's Office, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of the country and is awarded in recognition of exceptional service or performance of highest order in fields of human behaviour.

"Although no formal recommendations for Bharat Ratna are necessary, the recommendations have have been received for Bharat Ratna to Late Major Dhayan Chand from several quarters. These recommendations have been forwarded to the Prime Minister's Office," Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said in reply to a written query in Lok Sabha.

Recently, speculation has been rife that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and hockey legend Dhyan Chand may get the coveted award this year.

The speculation has been fuelled by the home ministry placing an order of five Bharat Ratna medallions. The recent recipients of the award include cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar and renowned scientist CNR Rao.

PTI