LUCKNOW: Taking its probe further in the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam in Uttar Pradesh, the CBI on Friday conducted raids in more than 36 places in the state and registered four fresh cases against the suppliers of drugs and medical equipment.
Then Family Welfare minister Babu Singh Kushwaha, now with the BJP, and senior IAS officer and then Principal Secretary Pradip Shukla, apart from several other lower-rung officials, are the main accused in cases related to the NRHM scandal.
On the directions of the UP Government, a special audit had been conducted in the entire NRHM programme fund allocation. The CBI has since then rounded up more than 24 officials in this connection.
The two former ministers, Mishra and Kushwaha, and Shukla have been interrogated by the police many times in the last four months. “Involvement of some more politicians, officials and drug and equipment suppliers and manufacturers has come to light,” said sources in the CBI.
According to the CBI, the first case relates to alleged irregularities in contracts awarded by the then CMOs of Khushinagar, Gorakhpur, Deoria and Maharajganj districts.
“The contracts were awarded to a group of private firms, mainly based in Lucknow, namely Sewa Enterprises, Sun Surgical, Hindustan Trading Co, Surji Surgicals, Charisma Health Care, Medicine Mahal, Garg Pharma and Gupta Brother,” said the release.
The second case relates to alleged irregularities in contracts awarded by the then CMOs of Varanasi, Ghazipur, Jaunpur and Chandauli.
Raids on ex-IAF officials
NEW DELHI: The CBI on Friday conducted raids at the residences of former Air Force and Naval Housing Board (AFNHB) officials in connection with an alleged scam worth ` 28 crore in acquiring land to construct 300 farm houses for serving and retired officers.