The CBI, which recently examined BSP supremo Mayawati in the multi-crore National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam, is set to examine two former ministers of Uttar Pradesh in connection with its investigations into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Centrally-sponsored scheme in the state.
Sources said, “The agency is preparing to seek clarifications from two former ministers of the then state government in connection with the scam. The CBI is also planning to record the statements of at least 10 more district project officers (DPOs) who had been appointed by the then government.”
Sources refused to divulge the names of former ministers who will be called for examination. Former state CM Mayawati was recently examined by the CBI to unearth larger conspiracy in the scam, they added.
Investigations by the agency have revealed that certain DPOs were allegedly instrumental in alleged corruption in the implementation of NRHM schemes in UP, sources said.
The scam took place during the Mayawati rule, in which Central funds for upgrading medical facilities in the state were allegedly siphoned off.
The CBI has already booked former family welfare minister of UP, Babu Singh Kushwaha, and the then BSP MLA from Barhaj constituency (Deoria), Ram Prasad Jaiswal, in connection with the scam. Mr Kushwaha and Mr Jaiswal were close confidants of Ms Mayawati.
The questioning of BSP chief was done as the probe agency claimed to have got new evidence against her on bifurcation of the Health and Family Welfare Department and creation of 100 posts of DPOs in the state. Mayawati was the Chief Minister of the state when the Department of Health and Family Welfare was bifurcated.
CBI alleged that the bifurcation of department was done so that the NRHM funds could be placed directly under the charge of the Department of Family Welfare which was under Minister Babu Singh Kushwaha— already charge sheeted by the agency. Large scale irregularities in the implementation of NRHM programme in UP came to light after two CMOs— Dr VK Arya and Dr BP Singh—were shot in Lucknow within a period of six months in 2011. Besides, Deputy CMO Sachan, who was an accused in both the murder case and NRHM irregularities in the Lucknow CMO office, was found dead in Lucknow jail in June, 2011. The agency, which has so far registered around 74 cases in the NRHM scam, is probing these three murder cases also. The alleged irregularities in utilisation of about Rs 10,000 crore of central funds allocated under the NRHM in UP, has so far claimed six lives.
