NRHM scam: CBI may arrest BSP legislators

Health society awarded work to private firms at rates higher than those charged by govt agencies.

The CBI is likely to arrest BSP legislators Ram Prasad Jaiswal and Ram Chandra Pradhan in two separate cases related to the procurement of information,education and communication (IEC) materials and the supply of construction material and labour to ANM training centres in Lucknow and adjacent districts under the NRHM. Others under the scanner are Pradhans wife Anita and owners of some private firms,CBI sources confirmed.

The CBI sources said that they have already interrogated Jaiswal,Anita and some of the private firm owners. BSP MLC Pradhan and some others have not yet responded to the CBI notices.

The investigation has so far found that Jaiswal had allegedly used his influence to procure contracts pertaining to the supply of IEC material,printing of pamphlets,banners,posters and wall paintings,and display of hoardings for about half-a-dozen private firms reportedly owned by his close associates,the sources said.

The probe has further revealed that the state health society had awarded work to private firms at rates higher than those charged by the government agencies dealing in publicity work.

The CBI had interrogated Jaiswal and his associates who had been awarded these contracts,and they could not deny their links as the agency had phone call details showing frequent conversations between them.

Sources said that they are likely to arrest the owners of firms as well as the legislator and seek courts permission to probe into the nexus between the MLA and these businessmen that resulted in financial irregularities in procurement of IEC material.

Pradhan,Anita and contractor Agha Rizwan are likely to be arrested for irregularities in the supply of building material and labour for the construction of 27 ANM training centres in Lucknow and adjacent districts.

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The interrogation of Anita and Rizwan and the scanning of bank accounts and other documents have substantiated the role of Pradhan behind the financial irregularities,sources confirmed.

Work worth over Rs 2 crore was awarded to Anitas firm,Shreya Enterprises,and also to Rama Enterprises,a firm owned by Rizwans friend Namit Tandon. But these organisations do not have relevant documents showing utilisation of money released against the work from state PSU,PACFED,sources added.