File photo of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the alleged swindling of funds in the implementation of centrally funded National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
During her questioning by the CBI officials on Monday, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati allegedly evaded answers on crucial questions and even feigned ignorance on some of the decisions taken during her tenure as the Chief Minister.
59-year-old Mayawati was at the helm of affairs in Uttar Pradesh during 2007-12 during which NRHM misappropriation is alleged. She is being examined to unearth the larger conspiracy of the Rs 10,000 scam, sources said.
The sources said the agency needs clarification on funding of some projects under NRHM in which some top officials including the then Principal Secretary, Health, Pradeep Shukla has been charged by the agency. They suspect that the Chief Minister played a key role in appointing health officials in various districts of the state.
Her former cabinet colleague Babu Singh Kushwaha has been in jail since 2012 for his role in the scam which spanned across various departments of the agency and involved multiple crores.
It has been alleged that huge sum has been siphoned off by politicians, bureaucrats and doctors from the funds meant for the NRHM, a central government scheme meant to provide health care facilities to people in rural areas.
As many as five persons had died or were allegedly murdered in an attempt to cover up the large-scale irregularities in the case.
The NRHM scam cases are being investigated by the CBI which has submitted charge sheet against the accused persons.
So far, the CBI has filed 74 cases filed charges in more than 40 of them in which trial is on.