NGO trustees have asked agent to return money: Bedi

Team Anna member Kiran Bedi, who is under fire for overcharging organisers using inflated travel bills, today said the trustees of her NGO India Vision Foundation have asked the travel agent to return money to those organisations from which more money was taken.

"Trustees (of the Foundation) have instructed the travel agent to return the balance amounts forthwith. They have already passed resolution directing me to travel strictly as per invite. This leaves no room for discretion," she said.

She said travel agent Anil Bal, who is also a trustee of the Foundation, was handling the travel account and has been asked to return the money. Bal's agency was handling the travel assignments of Bedi.

The Trustees, including adman Prahlad Kakkar, Laveleen Thadani, Achal Paul, Pradeep Halwasiya, Amarjit Singh and Sunil Nanda, were of the view that she need not save money for the NGO in this way, she told PTI.

"I never handled this money. The agency issued the receipts and received the money. So the Trustees have asked the agency to return the money which is lying in the travel account," she said.

Bedi is in the eye of a controversy after allegations were levelled against her that she overcharged hosts by inflating her travel bills. She is also accused of availing discounts on air tickets using her gallantry medal and then overcharging those who invited her to deliver lectures.

In her defence, Bedi has said that she did not personally benefit from this and that the money thus saved went to India Vision Foundation, and was used for social work.

The Trustees were also of the view that the money should be returned as it was bringing bad name to the NGO which is involved in good work.