The Central Bureau of Investigation has questioned the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mayawati, in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds from the Centre-sponsored National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) involving Rs.10,000 crore.
“She was examined on her Delhi premises on Monday as part of the ongoing probe into the larger conspiracy behind the scam,” said a CBI official.
It is learnt that a close aide of the former Chief Minister was present during the questioning.
The BSP chief was asked reasons for an “irregular” bifurcation of the Health and Family Welfare Department during her tenure between 2007 and 2012. “Also, there were irregularities in the creation of posts and appointment of about 100 District Project Officers (DPOs),” said the official.
The Department of Family Welfare functioned under the then Minister, Babu Singh Kushwaha, who has been charge-sheeted by the CBI for alleged involvement in the scam, along with the former Principal Secretary, Pradeep Shukla.
The CBI has registered 74 cases for the alleged large-scale misappropriation of funds allocated by the Centre to the State under the NRHM. The funds given for upgrade of the basic public health infrastructure were allegedly siphoned off by politicians and government officials in conspiracy with private suppliers and contractors.
Charge-sheets have been filed in 48 cases. However, Ms. Mayawati has not been named in any of them.
The scam was unearthed after the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court ordered a CBI probe into the allegations in November 2011, following the murder of Chief Medical Officers V.K. Arya (2010) and B.P. Singh (2011), who were with the Family Welfare Department. The death of four other officials has also been linked to the scam.
In its own inquiry, the Comptroller and Auditor-General found anomalies in the spending of Rs.5,000 crore from the total amount. It also came to light that under the scheme, contracts were awarded to private firms without the rules being followed. Besides, articles supplied to hospitals were found to be of inferior quality.
Earlier this week, Ms. Mayawati accused the Centre of misusing the CBI and said she had no connection with the NRHM scam. Terming it a political vendetta, she also questioned the timing of the probe.
