Congress leader claimed Rs 1.26 lakh bill for skin allergy

BANGALORE: The loss of face is worrying Congress MLC Allama Prabhu Patil more than any apparent loss of hair. On Wednesday, the lawmaker who had allegedly sought reimbursement of Rs 1.26 lakh from the state government for hair-weaving treatment, claimed there was no strand of truth in any hair-fixing job. But he did finally admit, after his initial denial, that he had claimed the said amount, for a skin allergy.

At a specially convened press conference here, following a TOI report on his reimbursement claim, the MLC sought to untangle himself out of the hair mess. "I am 58 years old and have three grown up children. As you can see for yourself, I still have some hair on my pate. I don't need hair weaving. I haven't got any such treatment," a visibly disturbed Patil said.

The MLC even asked journalists to touch his pate and vouch for his hair. "If you want, you can test," he told the assembled mediapersons.

"My party workers, fans and people are asking me details about hair weaving. The bald ones especially, are curious to know if the treatment has been effective. What should I tell them? I am embarrassed and pained," he explained.

Patil invoked his communist past to refute the allegations. "I am from a communist background and have always done value-based politics. I won't unnecessarily claim money from the government,'' he said.

The lawmaker, however, did admit that he had indeed claimed medical reimbursement of Rs 1.26 lakh from the state government. Patil had initially said he had neither undergone any treatment for hair loss nor sought any reimbursement from the government.

But the MLC claimed he had sought reimbursement towards treatment availed for skin allergy and not for hair transplant.

He said the confusion could be because the hospital where he underwent treatment also offers hair loss treatment. "The hospital papers mention about the facility of hair loss treatment. Maybe this has caused the confusion,'' he said.

"I have been suffering from skin allergy over the past eight to 10 years. The doctors suggested that I take two injections, each costing Rs 62,690. I have submitted those bills,'' he said.

TOI had on April 26 reported that Patil had run a whopping bill of Rs 1,26,866 for his hair loss treatment and was seeking reimbursement from the state government. The bill had been cleared by the health department and was awaiting final nod from the council chairman.

No more govt money for any treatment: Allama Prabhu Patil

Congress MLC Allama Prabhu Patil has vowed not to claim any medical reimbursement from the government in future. "I won't claim any money from now on. Even if the government approves the bills I have submitted, I'll not accept,'' he said. The MLC has also complained to chairman DH Shankaramurthy about the leakage of information about his claim. The chairman's office has secured the file, which is pending approval.