The Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday registered five cases relating to alleged bungling in the execution and implementation of National Rural Health Mission funds in Uttar Pradesh since the inception of the programme in 2005.
The cases were registered in pursuance of the directions of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on the basis of two Public Interest Litigations filed by a local journalist.
The court has fixed a time frame of four months for completion of the entire probe.
Those in the dock include director general (family welfare) who was responsible for procurement of medicines and equipments besides information, education and communication, director general (medical health) and director (training), state health society, State Innovation in Family Planning and Project Agency, King George Medical University and Chief Medical Officers of 72 districts of the state.
A Special Investigation Team has been constituted comprising 26 investigating officers, including five superintendents of police, under the overall supervision of an additional director, joint director and two DIGs.
The investigation team will be assisted by experts from banking, accountancy, engineering works, computer forensics and officers dealing with NRHM scheme, a CBI release said.
NRHM funds to the tune of about Rs 10,000 crore have been allocated to Uttar Pradesh by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from 2005-06 till date.