Jharkhand sleuths arrive,5 CBI teams to begin NRHM probe tomorrow

Sources said CBI officials collected documents related to the release of funds to UP under certain NRHM schemes since 2005 and identified some major projects to start work.

A team of 26 officials from the Delhi Anti-Corruption II unit,led by SP Om Prakash Parida,has been handed over the job to inquire the utilisation of funds allotted to the offices of Health & Family Welfare Department CMOs in 72 districts.

The same team will probe the role of the director and the office of the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Department in monitoring of the release of funds to the CMOs and their utilisation since 2005-06.

Two separate teams from Jharkhand CBI will inquire the misuse of funds and failure to maintain the quality while purchasing medicines and medical equipment,and in the construction of community health centres across the state.

The Jharkhand teams will scan the role of the minister,principal secretary and the secretary looking after the department since 2005-06 in matters related to the purchase of medicines,equipment and construction of hospitals.

Besides,the sources said,officials from the special crime branch units in Lucknow and Dehradun will probe the allotment of NRHM contracts to NGOs,private firms and contractors through PSUs and other agencies such State Innovations in Family Planning Services Project Agency (SIFPSA) and the UP State Health Society.

The DIG of CBI Anti-Corruption II unit,Satish Golcha,will monitor the inquiry to be conducted by the five teams from November 24.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had on November 15 ordered a preliminary inquiry into the implementation of NRHM and utilisation of funds,and had asked the CBI to submit a report in four months.