Fresh jolt to Mayawati, CBI files 3 new FIRs

The ghost of the multi-crore National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam continues to haunt BSP supremo Mayawati. In what could give fresh ammo to her opponents before the upcoming UP elections, the CBI has registered three fresh FIRs and conducted searches in connection with alleged irregularities at a massive scale in procurement of anti-pregnancy and family planning kits in Rae Bareli district during her regime.

With the BJP and the SP trying to hammer her with “corruption”, the CBI has registered fresh FIRs against former chief medical officers (CMOs) of Rae Bareli after finding evidence of massive irregularities in the procurement of medicine kits such as copper-T and follow-up medical kits, “nasbandi (sterilisation)” and ASHA kits and distribution of other anti-pregnancy medicines. The CBI conducted searches at 21 places in this regard. The agency is also probing the alleged links of the accused former CMOs with state-level politicians. Investigations have already revealed that around 100 district project officers (DPOs) and CMOs were appointed during Mayawati’s tenure in the state. It has also been found that they (DPOs/ CMOs) were allegedly instrumental in alleged corruption in the implementation of NRHM schemes in UP, sources said. Mayawati was at the helm of affairs in UP during 2007-12 during which NRHM misappropriation is alleged. She has already been examined by the CBI in connection with the Rs 10,000 crore scam.

Giving details of the first case, sources said, “There are allegations that the then CMO of Rae Bareli A.K. Shukla in connivance with private persons awarded the multi-crore contract of supplying copper-T and follow-up medical kits and other family planning kits to an Amritsar-based firm at exorbitant rate in 2007-08. It was also found that the accused firm was allegedly awarded the contract on the basis of forged document. The agency has booked the then CMO, deputy CMO and the firm in this case”. In the second FIR, sources said, the CBI has booked another CMO of Rae Bareli, G.K. Kumar, for allegedly awarding contract of distributing ASHA kits in rural areas of the district to a firm at exorbitant rate in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

“In the third FIR, the agency booked the then CMO of Rae Bareli A.K. Verma for allegedly misappropriating funds in the purchase of tubectomy operation kit and tubectomy operation follow-up kits at exorbitant rates in 2010-11,” sources said. Immediately after registering three FIRs, agency sleuths conducted searches at 21 locations.

in Lucknow, Allahabad, Dehradun and Amritsar and recovered several incriminating documents which are being scrutinised. Searches were conducted on Thursday and Friday.

Ist FIR: Former CMO—A K Shukla, Dy CMO-PK Singh and Amritsar-based firm booked. Caused Rs. 80 lakh loss to govt exchequer. 2nd FIR: Former CMO GK Kumar booked. Caused Rs. 22 lakh loss to government exchequer. 3rd FIR: Former CMO Dr. A K Verma booked. Caused Rs. 16 lakh loss to government exchequer.