MP Sachin turns down government bungalow in 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 taxpayer's 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 taxpayers' money and it would be better if the bungalow is allotted to someone else who needs the bungalow more than me," he told CNN-IBN.

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Tendulkar, 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 a 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 a Rajya Sabha MP," Tendulkar said.

"I do hope to attend few days of Parliament in every session," the channel quoted the cricketer as saying in a release before leaving for London.

Tendulkar had been allotted 5 Tughlak Lane bungalow, a type VII accommodation normally given to cabinet-rank ministers.

The stately house in Lutyen's zone is just opposite the house of Rahul Gandhi, who stays at 12 Tughlak Lane.

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

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