Sachin Donates His Rajya Sabha Salary To PM’s Relief Fund, But Not Everyone’s Impressed

When the God of Cricket took up a new mantle as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha in April 2012, expectations were rife that he’d deliver masterstrokes in this field too. However, Sachin Tendulkar’s stint as a Rajya Sabha MP gave more fodder to critics than to his fans, particularly about his abysmal attendance.

Image Source: Twitter

On March 28, as PM Narendra Modi bid farewell to a bunch of retiring MPs, including Rekha and Sachin Tendulkar, nobody failed to notice how these two promising members failed in their roles. While Sachin’s attendance came upto 7.3%, Rekha’s was a poor 4.5%.

However, in a move applauded by many, Sachin Tendulkar decided to donate his MP salary, 90 lakh drawn over a term of 6 months, to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

Image Source: Twitter

According to News 18, Sachin has attended a mere 29 of the nearly 400 Parliament sessions during his tenure as MP. He has asked 22 questions and introduced 0 bills. He has drawn Rs 86.23 lakh as salary since April 2012.

Rekha, with her 18-session attendance and 0 questions or bills introduced during her six-year stint, has drawn a salary of almost a crore.

Sachin’s request has also received a letter of acknowledgement from the PM.

Many have praised Sachin’s integrity and benevolence over this move, which is being deemed as yet another masterstroke!

Sachin winning hearts will never get old!

1. Masterstroke by the Master Blaster!

2. What a straight drive!

3. Ha!

However, the critics are still not impressed, arguing that it’s NBD since he did not deserve the salary in the first place, owing to his poor attendance.

TBH, however harsh it might be, there’s a fair point in there somewhere.

1. When you put it like that!

2. Sorry, not a masterstroke!

3. No salary for 7%….

4. This won’t be making up for the massive let-down!

https://twitter.com/dnrmanchuri/status/980665066071711744

5. He didn’t play to his strengths on the platform he was given.

6. Sachin knew….

7. A drastic step to ensure attendance?

8. Ek HR joke toh banta hai!

Phew! That was harsh. Although it is the price a celebrity pays for not standing up to the expectations of his fans and critics. Sachin Tendulkar and Rekha’s MP tenure has often been under the scanner for abysmal attendance and non-performance of expected duties. And while it is not acceptable for MPs to get away with such an abuse of privilege, Sachin’s decision to donate his salary could be a way to make amends.

If not mend their ways, the least such MPs can do is decline the rewards and privileges that come with the job they’re not performing well. It is only fair, right?

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