Mubarak Begum yet to get government aid

Despite culture minister Vinod Tawde’s claims that ailing veteran playback singer Mubarak Begum’s hospital bill would be taken care of, the government has not paid up yet.

Her family had to struggle to gather Rs 60,000 for the bill, when she was discharged two days ago, of which Mr Tawde was not even aware.

Sana Shaikh, the singer’s granddaughter, said, “My grandmother was suffering from dizziness and nausea for the past few days. She was admitted to BSES MG Hospital in Andheri on May 3. On May 13, we decided to have her discharged as the doctor had told us she was fine. He said that, as she is above 80, we have to take care of her. So we had to hire a 24-hour nurse to care of her.”

On May 10, Mr Tawde assured the family that it would receive help from the government for the singer’s treatment. “An official from Mr Tawde’s office came to meet us two days ago and he was insisting that we should keep her in hospital, as the government would take care of all expenses. We told him that we couldn’t do so, as she would feel better at home with all her family around. So, we had her discharged and the bill came up to Rs 60,000. We informed the government employee who had come to meet us, but no one approached us with the money. Finally, the director of Happy Lucky Entertainment Sanjay Mahale helped us by giving a cheque of Rs 50,000 and other well wishers contributed the remaining amount,” Ms Shaikh said.

Ms Shaikh said that after Mubarak Begum was discharged, Sanjay Patil, an officer from Mr Tawde’s office, was asked if the government could manage the nurse’s expenses. “He told us he would forward the file and it would take eight to 10 days to confirm the aid and give money for the same,” she said.

When Mr Tawde was asked why the government hadn’t paid the money when the singer was discharged, he replied, “She has not yet been discharged. Once she gets discharged, the government will pay the bill.”