Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Aizawl: Robert Romawia Royte gave away every cent of his government pay for 90 straight months. The Mizoram MLA and former cabinet minister handed over Rs 1.25 crore to help the poor. This massive donation covers the window from December 2018 to June 2026. He served as a cabinet minister for 60 months and as an MLA for 30 months during this period.
Royte documented every rupee spent on social welfare. He is a successful entrepreneur who founded North East Consultancy Services, Royte Fisheries, and Royte Brick Industries. His own financial success allowed him to dump his public earnings into charity. He claimed he set his sights on this goal before the 2018 assembly elections. "I made two decisions together just before the 2018 MLA election — to contest from the MNF and to donate my entire salary to the poor if elected. I did so and will continue," he said.
The move echoes the actions of several high-profile figures. Supporters compared his work to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave his savings to educate secretariat staff daughters. Former US President Donald Trump and former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica also donated their salaries while in power. Royte aims to change how politicians view their pay. He wants to push a culture of selfless service by putting public money directly into the hands of those who need it most.
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