Thaindian News

Lucknow, Nov 19 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Saturday registered five cases relating to alleged bungling in the execution and implementation of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in Uttar Pradesh, since the inception of the programme in 2005.

The cases were registered on the directions of the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court against two public interest litigations (PILs) filed by a local journalist.

The court has fixed a time frame of four months for completion of the entire probe.

Those in the dock include the director general (family welfare) who was responsible for procurement of medicines and equipments, besides information, education and communication, the director general (medical health) and director (training), State Health Society, State Innovations in Family Planning Services Agency (SIFPSA), the King George Medical University (KGMU), besides funds allocated to chief medical officers of the state’s 72 districts.

A special investigation team has been constituted comprising of 26 investigating officers including five superintendents of police under the overall supervision of additional director, joint director and two deputy inspector generals of police.

The investigation team will be assisted by experts from banking, accountancy, engineering works and computer forensics and officers dealing with NRHM Scheme under the union health and family welfare ministry, says a CBI release

The NRHM funds to the tune of about Rs. 10,000 crore were allocated to the Uttar Pradesh for period 2005-06 till date by the union health ministry.

The funds were spent through 72 CMOs in UP and other nodal offices all over the state under the various schemes approved by the central government of India involving a large number of beneficiaries. A number of these works have been executed through several state PSUs and large number of contractors and firms.