Nitish Kumar for probe in Srijan scam

Patna: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Thursday recommended a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities worth several hundred crores committed by Bhagalpur-based NGO Srijan Mahila Sahyog Samiti. Nitish Kumar took the decision after reviewing the initial probe reports and discussing the issue with his officials late on Thursday evening.  

RJD chief Lalu Yadav had earlier demanded an investigation by the CBI to “expose big names involved in the racket”. Mr. Yadav had blamed Nitish Kumar for saving leaders who had links with the NGO founder Manorama Devi.

The senior RJD leader gave the statement after the state government imposed section 144 in Bhagalpur to stop his younger son and former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav from holding a public meeting on Thursday. Mr Yadav had said that the scam could not have been carried out without the involvement of top political leaders and bureaucrats.

“What happened to his zero tolerance on corruption? Is he trying to cover up real people from being exposed by stopping Tejashwi Yadav? Only a CBI probe will expose big names involved in the racket,” RJD chief Lalu Yadav had said.

The matter first came to light last week after the state government found that a Bhagalpur based NGO had siphoned off funds which were allocated for various government schemes.

Sources said that the NGO used bank and other government officials to transfer public funds to their accounts with the help of forged signatures of the district magistrate. According to officials here, the scam has crossed Rs 600 crore and may exceed further.