Karnataka ministers claim ₹4 crore for medical expenses in three years
FollowPrivate hospitals have gained the reputation of being a money-making business with a promise to offer the best possible medical services.
But they can't be blamed as the government-aided hospitals which are easier on the pocket fail to offer the same level of treatment compared to their private counterparts. There is a general disregard for government hospitals as the quality of medical service offered is nightmarish and has severely failed to evoke a sense of goodwill among the general public.
But that fails to explain the large sums of money drawn by legislators in the name of medical expenses. According to a study, in the past three years, out of the 225 legislators, 80 legislators have availed medical treatment for themselves and their family and have received reimbursements to the tune of ₹4 crore.
RTI activist Ramanand Sagar had obtained information of the medical expenses incurred by the legislators. The details of the expenses are currently available with Suvarna News and Kannada Prabha.
Legislators opt for high-end hospitals such as Columbia Asia, Manipal, Sparsh, Narayana Hrudayalaya, Vikram Hospital, Vasan Eye Care and Jindal Nature Cure for medical treatment.
Some of these legislators prefer royal suites and rooms with ultra modern amenities, while a few legislators avail of medical treatment at public hospitals.
Former minister Dr. AB Malakareddy had incurred ₹1,30,000 for dental implants and ₹3,80,000 for procurement of a hearing aid. Also, former horticulture minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa was reimbursed ₹16,12,291 for a treatment overseen by his son-in-law Dr Sharan Patil.
JDS legislator K Gopalllaiah underwent a 10-day naturopathy treatment from Jindal Nature Institute in Bengaluru and was reimbursed ₹1,00,000.
Usually, the regional medical officer (RMO) of government hospitals attest the medical expenses bills submitted by legislators. Following this, the accounts department of the Legislative Secretariat releases the amount claimed under medical expenses.
