Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 27: Former minister, Basavaraj Rayareddy, who had got publicity in the past by announcing that he would not draw salary and other allowances in the capacity of legislator and minister, has done a volte face. Rayareddy from Congress party, who was defeated in the recent assembly election, has written to the assembly speaker, seeking payment of salary and allowances which he had sacrificed in the past.

Rayareddy, political analysts say, was defeated in the backdrop of dispute over recognition to Lingayat as separate religion. Frustrated at his defeat, he has decided to give a go by to his ideals. Rayaredy confirmed that he was distraught as the people did not identify his high ideals in letting go of income. He said he has learnt his lesson after his defeat, and that he therefore wrote to the speaker, treating himself as a commoner like others.

Basavaraj Rayareddy, who represented Yalburga constituency, had functioned as urban development minister in J H Patel ministry and higher education minister in Siddaramaiah-led government. On both the occasions, he had declared that he would not claim his salary and allowances and got good publicity. During the period he was in his own house without claiming the facility of government's residential quarters, he did not claim one lac rupees as monthly rent and other allowances. If the allowances, rent etc are calculated for 23 months he was in office, the total amount payable will exceed Rs 50 lac. Additionally, he is also eligible for salary and allowances in the capacity of legislator.

However, the letter he wrote to the government has encountered objection from the finance department. It is said that the finance department, in a letter to the speaker, mentioned about the minutes relating to the above issue, as per which a legislator is eligible to claim the pay and allowance he had unclaimed during the period the same assembly is in vogue. However, there is no provision to claim the amount once the assembly term ends and a new assembly is formed. If this rule is applied, Rayareddy might just fail to get anything out of the sacrifices he made in the past.