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 fares from her sponsors
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 added that she has explained her stand to anti-corruption crusader, Anna Hazare, who is currently on a "maun vrat" - a vow of silence. Ms Bedi said she furnished her explanation to one of Anna's close aides over the phone. She has also spoken to another key member of Team Anna, Arvind Kejriwal, about the controversy.
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 closest with Anna. The team has galvanized 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.
Digvijaya Singh, a senior leader of the Congress party, says the allegations are serious and merit investigation. Law Minister Salman Khurshid was more temperate in his response but managed to take a swipe at Team Anna nonetheless. "I don't find myself equipped or able to pronounce judgement on anybody as I feel judgement has been passed on many us by the movement in which Kiran Bedi has a role. I don't think we should condemn anyone unheard," he said.