The CBI is set to register one more FIR in connection with irregularities committed in awarding contracts related to purchase of “mobile medical vans” under the National Rural Health Mission programme in Uttar Pradesh (UP). The FIR, involving top bureaucrats of the state government, is likely to be registered in a day or two.
According to sources, the agency has already questioned Pradeep Shukla, former principal secretary (family welfare department of the state government) at length in this regard. The agency has “prima facie” found serious indications that there was allegedly a “criminal conspiracy” between the contractors and certain officials of the family welfare ministry in awarding contracts related to mobile medical vans under the scheme, sources added.
“Mr Shukla was asked specific questions related to certain incriminating documents, recovered by the agency, during recent questioning. He was also asked pointed questions about the alleged role played by certain officials of the family welfare department of the state government in purchase of mobile vans and around 700 ambulances under the NRHM programme in UP,” sources said.
Sources further said, “Probe by the agency has revealed that the family welfare department and health department of the state government purchased more than 100 mobile vans and around 700 ambulances at a cost of `75 crores under the NRHM from certain firms.” Over 600 ambulances and more than 50 mobile vans are still lying in the yard unused as the state government failed to recruit staff for them, equipment and call centre for starting the state wide emergency response service, sources added. Immediately after registering FIR in this regard, the agency may make significant arrests in the case by the end of this week, sources added.