Minister for Minor Irrigation T G Venkatesh on Wednesday demonstrated that he values healthy living and also that he sticks by his word.
The minister, who had promised to give Rs. 1000 to staff members who do not smoke, went a step further and issued cheques of Rs. 5,000 each to the 15 members of his peshi who refrained from smoking.
Venkatesh also highlighted the hazards of smoking to the mediapersons at the state Secretariat on Wednesday. March 9th, which is being observed as anti-tobacco day.
He reiterated his appeal to staff members to give up smoking, and said that the cash reward was his attempt to ecourage them to do the same.
"I appeal people to quit smoking for health reasons," he added.