The CBI, probing alleged irregularities in implementation of the multi-crore National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam in Uttar Pradesh (UP), is likely to question some politicians and senior officials of the state health department next week. According to sources, questioning of some politicians of UP and health department officials of the state government will take place at the agency headquarters. The CBI recently registered five “preliminary enquiries” (PEs) to probe the alleged irregularities in the implementation of NRHM programme across UP.
Sources further said, “Large scale irregularities in the implementation of NRHM programme in UP came to light after two chief medical officers (CMOs) — Dr V.K. Arya and Dr B.P. Singh — were shot in Lucknow within a period of six months. Besides, deputy CMO Y.S. 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”. Funds, released under NRHM programme, were spent under various central government schemes by the 72 CMOs and other nodal officers involving a large number of beneficiaries, sources added.
“The agency is already probing three murder cases, related to implementation of NRHM in Lucknow. The agency registered five more PEs following the recent direction of a Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court”, sources said.
The agency is planning to start questioning of state government officials and certain politicians in this regard next week, sources added. The agency has already constituted a Special Investigating Team (SIT), comprising 26 officers, including five superintendents of police under the overall supervision of additional director, joint director and two DIGs to probe the cases.