<p>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.</p>.<p>She has also sought that the government withdraw her monthly old age pension benefit.</p>.<p>The 106-year-old is upset with the government for its nonchalance concerning her health and well-being.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>"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.</p>
<p>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.</p>.<p>She has also sought that the government withdraw her monthly old age pension benefit.</p>.<p>The 106-year-old is upset with the government for its nonchalance concerning her health and well-being.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>"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.</p>