The state Congress leaders have been quick to accuse the state government of apathy in drought-affected areas. But they are yet to start donating 20 per cent of their salaries for drought victims as directed by party president Sonia Gandhi. Around 20 days ago,the Congress president had asked parliamentarians and legislators to make the donation and adopt austerity measures. The donations were to begin on September 1. But the Congressmen do not know where the money is to be deposited. The party has 19 legislators and 21 Lok Sabha members from the state. I read about it in papers, said Ashok Singh,MLA from Sareni,Rae Bareli. I have not done it so far,but if the high command has ordered,then all of us would do it. We are just waiting for the formal orders to know how to do it. Another legislator,Ishwar Chandra Shukla from Sidharthnagar,said: We are waiting to know whether the money is to be given in cash or through cheque and where,or if it will be deducted directly from our salaries. Some did not even know that the donation has to be made every month for a year. I do not know much about it because I am out of station, said another MLA,but I believe we have to deposit our one months salary. Another legislator said: I think we have to write a letter to the accounts department of the UP Assembly through the Speaker to make a deduction from our salaries. Our salary has not yet come in the accounts,let it come and then we will write a letter. He,though,was not very sure to which account the money would go. The Accounts Department of Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee said they do not know the details and have not received any donation so far. Pradeep Srivastava,general secretary of UPCC,who looks after administration,said: We were busy with the by-elections,but now,we will soon inquire about the procedure and inform all our legislators and MPs. But I believe MPs will make the deposit at the AICC. The MPs do not seem much wiser,though some said they had filled up a form in the last few days. P L Punia,the parliamentarian from Barabanki,said: We have been informed that the amount will be cut from the salary,and we will have to sign a letter requesting for such a cut. Everything will be clear once we get a letter from the Congress Parliamentary Party office. Pradeep Jain,Union Minister of State for Rural Development,however,said he had filled up the form and asked the staff to complete the formalities. But he,too,did not know where the money would go. Annu Tandon,the MP from Unnao,too,said she had signed the form,but does not remember the details.
