Bengaluru: Noted environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka has decided to return the Rs 10 Lakh aid cheque given by the state government to meet her medical expenses.She is apparently disappointed and pained by the attitude of the state government.

She has sought an appointment with the state chief minister in a letter dated December 29 to return the unused compensation amount. It may be noted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had personally invited her to his residence on October 27 and handed over a cheque of Rs 10 Lakh and assured to fulfil all the promises made to her within a month.

To make matters worse, the centenarian lady, known for nurturing 385 trees in a dry region of Tumakuru district, has even stopped drawing old age pension of Rs 500 provided by the state government.

Ranji cricket players, Grammy awardees, artists and others are rewarded very handsomely, says Thimmakka in her 3-page letter and feels totally neglected for being a Dalit woman. “Nobody should be recognised or rewarded on the basis of caste. My fans, well-wishers and my adopted son are looking after me and my needs”, she states further in her letter, clearly expressing her disappointment against the state government.

In view of the frequent failures on the part of government to provide money and land in the last years and fulfil the promises made two months ago, Thimmakka has requested Siddaramaiah for an appointment so that she could personally return the unused cheque to him.