News18: Thiruvananthapuram: Sunday, February 04, 2018.
While the
controversy over Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja sporting spectacles worth
Rs 28,000 has died down, Assembly Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan has run into a
similar row.
RTI documents
reveal that Sreeramakrishnan has even more expensive spectacles priced at Rs
49,900, which includes Rs 45,000 for the glasses and Rs 4,900 for the frame.
The costs of
the spectacles of both the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders
have been reimbursed by the state government.
"I found
it difficult to sit in the Assembly as I was unable to see properly and I had
to often move my head to look from one side to the other,"
Sreeramakrishnan said on Saturday.
"I also
had trouble climbing steps. So my doctor then advised me to get a better glass
and I did that."
The
controversy came to light after media reports showed Kerala legislators
claiming medical reimbursements running into lakhs.
When
Shailaja's expensive spectacles and the medical reimbursement of her husband
became news, they had a tough time defending it.
RTI activist
V. Binu told the media that it's unfortunate that the Speaker, who has to
ensure clearing of medical bills of the 140 legislators, himself has not showed
any restraint in spending taxpayers' money.
Kerala
legislators are eligible for reimbursement of their medical bills and also for
their immediate family members.
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