CBI to register 4 fresh cases

The CBI, probing the alleged irregularities in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in Uttar Pradesh, is all set to register four fresh cases. The agency has already registered seven FIRs to probe the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the scheme in the state.

Sources said “Four fresh cases are likely to be filed by the agency in a day or two. The agency is also probing the role of several state government officials in this regard.” The agency in 2014 registered seven cases to probe irregularities in the implementation of MGNREGS in seven districts in UP, including Balrampur, Gonda, Mahoba, Sonbhadra, Sant Kabir Nagar, Mirzapur and Kushinagar. The FIRs were registered on the direction of the Lucknow bench of Allahabad HC. The probe period is between 2007-10. During this period BSP leader Mayawati was the chief minister.

Expressing displeasure over corruption in the implementation of the centrally-sponsored scheme, Allahabad HC had directed the CBI to probe the allegations of financial irregularities into use of MGNREGS funds in seven districts in UP. The court had also directed the agency to conduct inquiry if it finds evidence of corruption in other districts during investigations, sources said. The court observed, “Material on record prima facie reveals startling facts with regard to misappropriation of funds allocated under MNREGA right from the lowest echelon of the elected representatives, pradhans, gram sabha members to the higher bureaucracy in a well-netted collusive manner.”

The implementation of another centrally-sponsored National Rural Health Mission is already being probed by the CBI and the ED, in which both the Central agencies charged the then BSP minister Babu Singh Kushwaha of corruption and bribery. The CBI, which had registered 18 cases in the NRHM scam, arrested a total of 10 persons in connection with the cases.