Former Speaker, P Sreeramakrishnan gives application to go to foreign country for medical treatment at government expense

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Speaker and NORKA Roots Vice Chairman, P Sreeramakrishnan has submitted an application to go to a foreign country for medical treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. The application is under consideration by the Cabinet. There is a guideline which do not allow former legislative assembly members to use public money to go to foreign countries for medical treatment.

On August 29, Sreeramakrishnan had given a letter to the then Speaker MB Rajesh. Sreeramakrishnan had undergone treatment at Aster Medi City for Parkinson’s Disease. He did a Bilateral Deep Brain Simulation. The doctors recommended that expert medical treatment must be provided to him.

For that he must travel to Kings College Hospital in Dubai. He requests the government to pay the medical treatment at Dubai.

The Speaker’s office handed over the letter to the Parliamentary Department. The officials there put a note saying that there is not guideline for former legislative assembly member to use public money to go to foreign country for medical treatment. The file was then moved to financial department. There also the officials noted that former members of assembly cannot avail public money for medical treatment.

The finance department secretary sent it to the Cabinet for final decision. In the file it is written that the action is supported by the CM and finance minister. The file is now with health department.

The government had paid Rs.18 lakhs for the treatment at Aster Medi City.