The CBI probe into the multi-crore National Rural Health Mission scam in UP has revealed that former family welfare minister of state Babu Singh Kushwaha allegedly played a crucial role in awarding at least 12 contracts under the scheme.

The agency, which has named Kushwaha as an accused in its first FIR, is now preparing to register more cases in the scam. CBI sources said, “Scrutiny of the documents, recovered by the agency during its recent searches in the state, has revealed that family welfare ministry headed by Kushwaha had allegedly released funds under the scheme to construction agencies for the upgradation of hospitals in the state, without obtaining estimates and utilisation certificates.”
“At least five such contracts are under the scanner of the CBI. The agency is probing role played by Mr Kushwaha in awarding these contracts. The agency is also questioning certain senior officials of the UP Jal Nigam in this regard,” sources said.
The CBI officials also questioned some senior officials of the UP Jal Nigam, including its chief general manager Bharat Singh in this connection at the agency headquarters here on Tuesday, sources added. They added, “The agency has ‘prima facie’ found serious indications that there was allegedly a ‘criminal conspiracy’ between the contractors and certain officials of the family welfare ministry in awarding five contracts under the scheme.”