Shimla, Dec 6 (IANS) In a rare gesture, a legislator of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Himachal Pradesh sold his collection of caps to raise funds for charity.
Tejwant Negi, a young legislator from tribal Kinnaur district, sold more than 600 Himachal caps at various auctions organised in his constituency and generated Rs.81,000 from its sale.

“I had collected more than 600 Himachali caps in the past two years. Most of the caps were presented to me by the public at various social and get-together functions. I decided to auction these so that the funds raised could be used for charity,” Negi told IANS.

“From the auction of the caps, I collected Rs.81,000. Each cap fetched Rs.100 to Rs.150. Some of the buyers even purchased the caps in bulk,” he added.

The amount collected was given to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

“I presented a draft of Rs.81,000 to Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal in Shimla Saturday for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” the legislator said.

He said more funds would be contributed towards the fund by auctioning other items like shawls and mementoes presented by the public at various functions.

Dhumal appreciated the gesture of Negi and said other legislators should also follow this practice.

“It’s really a noble gesture of Negi. The other legislators and high-profile people should also follow the practice of raising funds for the relief fund,” he said.

Himachal Pradesh started the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund soon after the BJP government assumed power in December 2008.

Cement Ambuja Ltd, the Bilaspur Truck Operator Society of Barmana, the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank and ALEO Manali Hydro Power Private Ltd are among the major contributors.