Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel and Mandya Member of Parliament H.D. Kumaraswamy has stepped forward to support teachers of the historic Mysugar School in Mandya. They have reportedly been working without salaries for several months.
Speaking at a programme held on the school premises on Thursday, the Minister announced that he would donate the salary he has received as MP to clear pending dues of around ₹20 lakh.
Earlier, he gave a new school vehicle to the Mysugar School management. It was funded under a CSR initiative.
“It is painful to know that teachers have been working without salaries. Around ₹20 lakh is pending. Hence, I am donating my MP salary to clear it. Those responsible for withholding salaries for months should not speak lightly about me. There is no need to make statements against me in the media,” he said, adding that CSR funds cannot be used for paying salaries.
Mr. Kumaraswamy also said that development works worth ₹10 crore have been planned for the school. “My office team has already assessed the school’s needs. Discussions have been held with the district administration and the school trust members. The ₹10 crore will be released soon,” he assured.
Expressing displeasure over the functioning of the school trust, he remarked, “No meeting has been called so far by the trust. I do not even know who is in the trust. As the MP, I myself am a trustee. Yet, those who have withheld teachers’ salaries are speaking ill about me. What moral right do they have? I am donating my salary, and it is not money earned through illegal means. So, they should be cautious with their words.”
He said that politics should not be dragged into the administration of educational institutions.
Meanwhile, responding to media reports on the poor condition of the Shankarapura Government School in Mandya, Mr. Kumaraswamy visited the school and announced development works worth ₹1.4 crore. Six new classrooms and eight toilets will be constructed and the old building will be renovated under the project.
Published – November 06, 2025 06:09 pm IST
