TMC MLA Kanchan Mallick’s ₹6 lakh childbirth bill triggers Assembly scrutiny

Kanchan Mallick, the MLA from Uttarpara in Hooghly district, has submitted a ₹6 lakh hospital bill to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly for reimbursement. The bill is for medical expenses incurred during the birth of his daughter, Krishavi, at a private hospital in South Kolkata. The charges include ₹4 lakh as doctor’s fees and ₹2 lakh for additional medical services and hospital charges.

Under the existing rules, West Bengal MLAs are entitled to medical reimbursements without an upper limit, provided they submit valid documents for verification. The Assembly’s health benefits policy covers hospitalization expenses for legislators and their immediate families. However, the submission of such a significant bill has drawn attention within legislative circles.

Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee has confirmed that the bill is under scrutiny. “We are examining all submitted documents. If required, we will summon the hospital authorities or the doctor for clarification,” he said. The review process involves verifying the authenticity of all medical records and associated charges.

There have been instances in the past of high-value reimbursement claims raising concerns. For example, a ₹50,000 claim for eyeglasses by an MLA previously led to the introduction of a ₹5,000 cap for non-medical reimbursements. However, no such cap exists for medical expenses. The ongoing review will determine whether the submitted claim adheres to all reimbursement guidelines.