JOIN USAmong the many problems that the party grappled with, the unrelenting snoring problem of their leader and former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was the most troublesome. And not just Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, the party itself made sure that the problem is sorted out at the earliest. So much, that a sum of over Rs 1.27 lakh was sanctioned from the state exchequer for her snoring treatment.
After spending public money for buying medicines and devices that promise to get rid of the problem, she has shown remarkable improvement and, according to party men, is all charged up to take on the ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine in the state in the elections.
According to officials, as a leader of the opposition, Bhattal is entitled to claim medical bills for treatment. Interestingly, Bhattal is not the only ailing politician in the state who misuse public money for treatment.
The government has spent Rs 3.14 crore for the treatment of the chief minister’s wife Surinder Kaur in the United States. She died of cancer last month on her return to India.The amount was disbursed in seven installments between April 2010 and February 2011. By the time the final installment of Rs 1.30 crore was disbursed, the medical bills had crossed Rs 3 crore, say sources.
S C Aggarwal, Chief Secretary of the cash-strapped Punjab Government , says the money was disbursed as per the rules. Many other Congress legislators, including Kanwarjit Singh Brar from Muktsar, have also received huge amounts for treatment of various diseases.