Sachin says no to government bungalow

NEW DELHI: Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has refused to accept the government bungalow he is entitled to as Rajya Sabha member, saying such a stay would be a waste of taxpayers' money.


"I am not keen on staying in any government bungalow when I will be in Delhi for only a few days. I feel this would be a waste of tax payers' money and it would be better if the bungalow is allotted to someone else who needs the bungalow more than me," he told a news channel.


Sachin, who took oath as MP on Monday, said he would prefer to stay in a hotel in Delhi every time he is in Delhi.


"For me the honour of being nominated as Rajya Sabha MP matters much more than the perks and privileges like being given a government bungalow.


"Not taking a government bungalow would not affect my responsibilities as Rajya Sabha MP. I do hope to attend few days of parliament in every session," the channel quoted him as saying in a release before leaving for London.


Ever since his nomination, there have been questions over whether he would be able to devote time for Parliament over his cricketing commitments.