Controversy Erupts as TMC MLA’s Shocking Rs 6 Lakh Reimbursement Claim for Wife’s Delivery Sparks Outrage | Kolkata News
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and actor Kanchan Mullick has become the center of a controversy after reportedly submitting a hospital bill of Rs 6 lakh for reimbursement to the West Bengal Assembly. The bill follows the birth of Mullick’s daughter at a private hospital in South Kolkata on November 3. Mullick, representing the Uttarpara constituency, married Srimayee Chatterjee earlier this year, with their baby girl incurring significant medical costs.
Assembly sources confirmed that Mullick submitted the bill, complete with all necessary documentation, to the health affairs department. Biman Banerjee, the Assembly Speaker, assured rigorous scrutiny of all health-related bills, including Mullick’s, before approval. He noted that there is no maximum limit for MLAs on claiming hospital bill reimbursements.
When questioned about the bill, Mullick deflected, suggesting those inquiring about it should seek information from their original source. Contrarily, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh stated that Mullick had not formally submitted the bill, clarifying that he only visited the Assembly for inquiries. Ghosh explained the breakdown of fees, citing Rs 2 lakh for the procedure and Rs 4 lakh for the doctor’s fees, and expressed dismay at the widespread claim of a submitted Rs 6 lakh bill.
Historically, West Bengal ministers have often faced scrutiny over health-related expenses. In the Left Front era, minister Manav Mukhopadhyay was criticized for claiming Rs 30,000 for spectacles. A similar situation arose for Savitri Mitra, a TMC minister, who reimbursed the government after a controversy over a Rs 1 lakh claim for spectacles.
This incident adds to the ongoing debate about the transparency and fairness of reimbursement claims by public officials in West Bengal.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/tmc-mlas-rs-6-lakh-reimbursement-claim-for-wifes-delivery-sparks-row-9744464/
Category : Cities,Kolkata
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Publish Date: 2024-12-26 03:31:00
