The CBI, probing the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam, is all set to register a case to investigate alleged irregularities related to the appointment of around 100 chief medical officers (CMOs) in 72 districts in Uttar Pradesh during the Mayawati regime. Sources in the agency said this is the “mother scam” of NRHM in UP.
Sources said, “The agency’s probe has revealed that some state government officials, working in different district hospitals, were promoted and made CMOs while ignoring senior or eligible officials. Most of the promotions were made in violation of rules and regulations.” The probe has also revealed that some junior medical officers were allegedly promoted to the post of CMOs due to their political connections, sources added.
“Appointment of around 100 CMOs are under the scanner of the agency. The agency is also probing the role of former family welfare minister of the state Babu Singh Kushwaha and some other former BSP leaders in this connection,” sources said.
The agency is likely to register a case in this regard in a day or two, sources said adding that the name of some politicians will also be mentioned in the FIR.
The agency’s probe has found that most of the CMOs (who were promoted), lacked the required qualification and experience, sources said.
The alleged irregularities related to the appointment of around 100 CMOs was the root cause of the NRHM scam in the state.
The CBI, sources said, is also planning to register three more FIRs related to irregularities in opening of telemedicine centres (worth `9 crores), distribution of medical kits (`22 crores) and contracts related to printing material (`8 crores) under the NRHM programme very soon.
Meanwhile, the CBI’s probe into the NRHM scam has revealed that the accused persons and their family members have allegedly invested around `52 crores in various immovable properties and assets in the state.