New Delhi: Team Anna member and former top cop Kiran Bedi has rejected allegations that she over-bills companies and institutions who host her by inflating her travel expenses.
A report in the Indian Express this morning says that Ms Bedi, a core member of Team Anna, charges her hosts business-class fares, but travels economy instead. At other times, the paper states, Ms Bedi avails of a discount from Air India -which she is entitled to as a Gallantry Award winner. In both cases, the paper alleges, Ms Bedi collects full business-class fare.
Ms Bedi says this is not a practice for personal gain. "Business class travel is part of the invitation/entitlement from the event organizers/corporates I'm asked to speak at," she said today. "Travelling economy is a choice despite entitlement only to ensure that savings remain with the NGO. No personal gain here." She also said that often, her hosts are aware that she will fly economy despite the more expensive tickets they buy for her. "I downgrade myself sometimes," she said, adding that her hosts tell her that how she chooses to spend the fare they assign to her ticket should be her personal decision.
Ms Bedi says any savings are deposited in the NGO she heads, India Vision Foundation. "Sorry to disappoint detractors trying real hard to find a smoking gun. However I accept this kind of coverage as a part of the challenges which being in public life poses," she said.
Ms Bedi has been one of the most visible leaders of the India Against Corruption campaign. She is among the circle of activists that work closely with anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare. The team has delivered a national movement demanding the urgent introduction of the Lokpal Bill a new bill to combat corruption among government servants. The bill provides for an independent ombudsman agency - the Lokpal- that would investigate charges of graft in government office.
A report in the Indian Express this morning says that Ms Bedi, a core member of Team Anna, charges her hosts business-class fares, but travels economy instead. At other times, the paper states, Ms Bedi avails of a discount from Air India -which she is entitled to as a Gallantry Award winner. In both cases, the paper alleges, Ms Bedi collects full business-class fare.
Ms Bedi says this is not a practice for personal gain. "Business class travel is part of the invitation/entitlement from the event organizers/corporates I'm asked to speak at," she said today. "Travelling economy is a choice despite entitlement only to ensure that savings remain with the NGO. No personal gain here." She also said that often, her hosts are aware that she will fly economy despite the more expensive tickets they buy for her. "I downgrade myself sometimes," she said, adding that her hosts tell her that how she chooses to spend the fare they assign to her ticket should be her personal decision.
Ms Bedi says any savings are deposited in the NGO she heads, India Vision Foundation. "Sorry to disappoint detractors trying real hard to find a smoking gun. However I accept this kind of coverage as a part of the challenges which being in public life poses," she said.
Ms Bedi has been one of the most visible leaders of the India Against Corruption campaign. She is among the circle of activists that work closely with anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare. The team has delivered a national movement demanding the urgent introduction of the Lokpal Bill a new bill to combat corruption among government servants. The bill provides for an independent ombudsman agency - the Lokpal- that would investigate charges of graft in government office.
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