Maya's role in NRHM scam under scanner

CBI has arrested nine in connection with the scam

A senior Uttar Pradesh minister on Monday claimed that former chief minister Mayawati’s name had cropped up in the multi-crore National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam in the state and sought a probe into her role in the scam.

State Health Minister Ahmed Hasan alleged Monday that Mayawati was also involved in the scam that shook the state during her regime. “Mayawati once headed the family welfare department, the implementing agency for the scheme,” Hasan said. “The CBI should probe Mayawati’s role,” he demanded.

Another state minister, Shivpal Singh Yadav, had also alleged earlier that the BSP supremo had been involved in the scam and said that the state government would make sure that she was punished in accordance with the law, if found guilty.

Former family welfare minister Babu Singh Kushwaha, currently lodged in jail after being arrested in connection with the scam, had also said in his testimony in the court that Mayawati headed the core committee that used to take all the decisions. “Mayawati’s decisions were final,” Kushwaha had submitted before the court.

Sources here said Pradeep Shukl, former UP principal secretary for health, who was recently arrested by the CBI in connection with the scam, had reportedly revealed names of some “big shots”.

Nine persons have so far been arrested by the investigating agency in connection with the scam. Six persons, including two chief medical officers and a deputy chief medical officer, have been killed, either because of their involvement in the scam or their insistence on ordering a probe against persons involved in it.

The scheme was launched in 2005 with the objective of strengthening health services in rural areas. The funds were to be used to construct health centres in rural areas and ensure they were stocked with medicines and working equipments. A CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) report says that close to Rs 5,000 crore has gone missing in Uttar Pradesh. The Allahabad High Court had directed the CBI to inquire in to the scam.