The CBI has so far registered eight cases in connection with the irregularities in implementation of the multi-crore NRHM scam in Uttar Pradesh. It has booked Pradeep Shukla, the former principal secretary, family welfare department, and five others in the case.
“Besides Shukla, the agency has named S.P. Ram, former DG family welfare, and Abhay Kumar Vajpayee, general manager, UP Small Industries Corporation in the new cases. Both are already in judicial custody. R.R. Bharti, another former DG, family welfare, V.K. Chowdhary, managing director UP Processing and Construction Cooperative Federation Ltd, Devender Mohan (now retired), former managing director UP Project Corporation, have also been named in the new FIRs,” sources said.
The CBI carried out raids and sealed “Ada” and “Sari Bhawan”, the garment showrooms of Lucknow businessman Vinod Punjabi, who had also taken several contracts in the NRHM programmes. The homes and offices of another businessman Manvendra Chaddha were also raided in the city.
The agency is likely to question Mr Shukla on Monday in connection with the case. Mr Shukla’s tenure is being probed for decisions that led to large scale financial irregularities in the centrally-sponsored scheme. The agency is expected to make significant arrests in connection with the case in a day or two, sources said.
The CBI had on January 2 registered five cases against certain government and private sector officials, including one against former family welfare minister of the state, Babu Singh Kushwaha, alleging loss of about `28 crores in implementing the programme meant for 72 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Health officials of the rank of CMOs and deputy CMOs are also being questioned and raided.