He was the face of courage during the pre-Diwali blasts two years ago, but the driver, who lost his eyesight while throwing away a bomb to save passengers, now plans to protest against the government for not meeting his medical expenses by returning the bravery medal.

Kuldeep Singh, the Delhi transport corporation driver, is undergoing treatment at the L P Prasad Institute in Hyderabad and has spent about Rs 2.5 lakh for restoring his eyesight. "I was promised by the government that it would bear my medical expenses. I have submitted my bills to the DTC and had even met the chief minister. But money has not been released. Then what is the meaning of the medal and I am going to return it," an angry Kuldeep said.

"All I have got from the government is Rs 2.2 lakh," he claimed. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the government had provided all possible help to Kuldeep as promised.

"We have given all help whatever the government was supposed to," she told reporters. The 34-year-old driver has made at least 12 trips to Hyderabad since last May and had undergone a number of surgeries. He also got his right hand amputated during his attempt to save the passengers.

Kuldeep, who was promoted as a vehicle inspector, claimed he struggled to make both ends meet with his salary, especially after the birth of his son Deepak.

"My biggest regret is that I don't know how he looks. He was born after the blasts. I am waiting for that day when I regain my eyesight and see my son. I have to undergo another surgery after two months," Kuldeep said.