Mangalore, April 5: The Nagarika Hitarakshana Samithi has demanded the withdrawal of Karnataka Rajyotsava Award from city's leading dentist Dr Mithra Hegde, who earlier had claimed that she had been appointed as the personal dentist of President of India.
Addressing a press meet here on Thursday, Samithi president G Hanumanth Kamath said, a probe should be order by the government into the claims of the dentist, as the Rashtrapati Bhavan itself has clarified that her claims were false.
Dr Hegde, a Mangalorean, is a senior professor and head of department of conservative dentistry and endodontics, AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Deralakatte.
Following her claim of being chosen as the personal dentist to Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Dr Hegde had enjoyed wide media publicity especially in Dakshina Kannada in 2010.
However, an RTI application filed by former secretary of the Karnataka State Branch of Indian Dental Association Dr Shiva Sharan seeking information about the dentist's claims had revealed that she never had treated the President of India.
The reply from the Central Public Information officer on Oct 17, 2011, had clearly mentioned three points: 1. There is no panel of dentists at Present. 2. Dr Hegde has never treated the President 3. Dr Hegde has never been appointed as dentist to the President.
Mr Kamath said that one of the criteria for Karnataka State Government to honour the dentist with Rajyotsava Award in 2010, was her claim. Moreover, the award and false claim had helped her to increase her fees.
The dentist deserves stringent legal action for fooling the people, media and government, he said.
Mr Kamath also said that Dr Hegde should apologise in the public for fooling the people through false claims.
Dr Shiva Sharan said Dr Hegde had also violated the rules of Karnataka State Dental Council, which strictly prohibits any dentist from making any kind of false advertisements to attract patients.
He said that he had already taken up the issue with the Council, the Governor of Karnataka, the Rajyotsava Award Committee and the President. Council has issued a notice to Dr Hegde seeking her clarification over the issue.
Dr Suhan Alva was also present in the press meet.
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