Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Tuesday joined his colleague Health Minister Vishwajit Rane in defending the government spending crores of ruppes on the health bills of MLAs and ministers.
Speaking to media persons, Sawant said this is a wrong issue which has been taken up by some people. “Whenever someone becomes an MLA, he gives his whole time for development and people of his constituency. This is not new and has been going on since the beginning,” he said.
Sawant said the MLAs’ medical expenses are being taken care by every State in the country. “Every State spends on MLAs’ medical bills. We are not spending only on MLAs’ and ministers but also on the common man,” he added.
Sawant said the common citizen is also given the best of facilities. “Under Mediclaim Scheme we can reimburse Rs 5 lakh but there are cases wherein we have gone out of way and cleared bills up to Rs 15 lakh,” he said.
He further stated that the people cannot compare MLAs’ medical bills with GMC facilities. “The GMC has all the best facilities. Since there is excess load, some people may have been put on the floor. We have the best super speciality, cancer treatment. If someone wants to compare then compare the facilities we provide,” Sawant said.
Herald last week had reported on the whopping bills the government had paid to the tune of Rs 10.3 cr for the super speciality treatment of its Ministers and MLAs. The issue has evoked strong response from every segment of the society especially as patients are treated on wheel chairs and stretchers in GMC.
