Gowda contributes 20 percent salary to PM's relief fund

"Keeping in view the gravity of the situation arising out of heavy floods and severe drought in different parts of the country, I wish to extend my full support to the austerity measures by contributing 20 percent of my salary as a Member of Parliament for one year towards the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund," the former prime minister said in a written communique here.

Accordingly, Deve Gowda sent a demand draft for Rs.38,400 dated Sep 17 as a personal contribution.

The Congress-led government and its party leaders have initiated austerity measures in the past two weeks. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and several ministers have flown economy class to various places, while party general secretary Rahul Gandhi took a train to go to Punjab last week.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has also stopped all board meetings at five star hotels.