Thimmakka wants to return Rs 10L cheque to govt

Award-winning environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka has sought an appointment with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to return a cheque of Rs 10 lakh that was presented to her, to meet her medical expenses.

She has also sought that the government withdraw her monthly old age pension benefit.

The 106-year-old is upset with the government for its nonchalance concerning her health and well-being.

In a strongly worded three-page letter (dated December 29) to Siddaramaiah, Thimmakka said that the government had failed to act on the many assurances given to her over the last few years.

When it was brought to the government's notice that she was burdened with piling medical bills owing to frequent hospitalisation, Siddaramaiah had presented her with a cheque for Rs 10 lakh on October 27, 2017. At that time, he had assured that the government would fulfil all the promises made to her on previous occasions.

"Just because I am a Dalit woman, I have been reduced to this state. I have realised that nobody should be recognised or rewarded on the basis of caste," her letter says.