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CBI to probe NRHM scam in UP
The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday ordered a CBI probe into the alleged scam in the implementation of programs run under the National Rural Health Mission in Uttar Pradesh.
Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday
directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary probe into the
affairs of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) since its
inception in Uttar Pradesh.
The Lucknow Bench of the Court gave the order while disposing of three PILs seeking a CBI inquiry into alleged irregularities in the NRHM. A Division Bench comprising justices Pradeep Kant and Ritu Raj Awasthi directed that the preliminary inquiry, to be completed within four months, would be conducted from 2005-06 till date.
It directed the state government to hand over and make available all records that might be required by the CBI and render full support and cooperation to the agency.
The Central government was also directed to render full support that might be required, according to the order.
In its order, the Bench observed considering the facts and circumstances of the present case, it was painful to see that a scheme meant for providing quality health services had taken the lives of three CMOs.
"We are prima facie convinced that gross irregularities - financial and administrative -- appear to have been committed in the execution and implementation of NRHM including the matter of award of contracts, procurement of goods, articles etc. at various levels," the order said.
The Bench turned down the state government`s plea that it should wait for the report of the CAG conducting a special state-level audit.
The Bench said "we also take notice of the fact that the murders of two CMOs V K Arya and B P Singh, death of Y S Sachan while in judicial custody and financial irregularities in the office of the CMO, Lucknow, all in relation to irregularities in the NRHM, are already being investigated by the CBI pursuant to orders of this Court with the consent of the state government." It said "we, therefore, direct the Director CBI to conduct a preliminary probe into the matter of execution and implementation of the NRHM and utilisation of funds at various levels during such implementation in the entire UP and register regular cases in respect of persons against whom prima facie cognizable offence is made out and proceed in accordance with the law."
Welcoming the decision, BJP spokesman Vijay Bhadur Pathak said "the order has vindicated our stand of large-scale irregularities in implementation of the NRHM in the state."
Congress spokesman Akhilesh Pratap Singh said the state government was in a denial mode while the order had established irregularities in implementation of the scheme in the state.
"Now the court has ordered a CBI probe. The ministers at that time should be arrested immediately so that they can not affect the probe in any way," he said.
PTI
The Lucknow Bench of the Court gave the order while disposing of three PILs seeking a CBI inquiry into alleged irregularities in the NRHM. A Division Bench comprising justices Pradeep Kant and Ritu Raj Awasthi directed that the preliminary inquiry, to be completed within four months, would be conducted from 2005-06 till date.
It directed the state government to hand over and make available all records that might be required by the CBI and render full support and cooperation to the agency.
The Central government was also directed to render full support that might be required, according to the order.
In its order, the Bench observed considering the facts and circumstances of the present case, it was painful to see that a scheme meant for providing quality health services had taken the lives of three CMOs.
"We are prima facie convinced that gross irregularities - financial and administrative -- appear to have been committed in the execution and implementation of NRHM including the matter of award of contracts, procurement of goods, articles etc. at various levels," the order said.
The Bench turned down the state government`s plea that it should wait for the report of the CAG conducting a special state-level audit.
The Bench said "we also take notice of the fact that the murders of two CMOs V K Arya and B P Singh, death of Y S Sachan while in judicial custody and financial irregularities in the office of the CMO, Lucknow, all in relation to irregularities in the NRHM, are already being investigated by the CBI pursuant to orders of this Court with the consent of the state government." It said "we, therefore, direct the Director CBI to conduct a preliminary probe into the matter of execution and implementation of the NRHM and utilisation of funds at various levels during such implementation in the entire UP and register regular cases in respect of persons against whom prima facie cognizable offence is made out and proceed in accordance with the law."
Welcoming the decision, BJP spokesman Vijay Bhadur Pathak said "the order has vindicated our stand of large-scale irregularities in implementation of the NRHM in the state."
Congress spokesman Akhilesh Pratap Singh said the state government was in a denial mode while the order had established irregularities in implementation of the scheme in the state.
"Now the court has ordered a CBI probe. The ministers at that time should be arrested immediately so that they can not affect the probe in any way," he said.
PTI