CBI set to name Kushwaha in six more NRHM cases

Former Family Welfare Minister Babu Singh Kushwaha seems to be sinking deeper into trouble. The CBI, which is probing the NRHM scam in UP, is likely to name him as an accused in six more cases. The former minister in the Mayawati cabinet is already an accused in two cases and is currently in Dasna jail.

CBI sources said Kushwaha has emerged as the key person behind issuing instruction for allocating funds to PSUs and co-operative organisations like UP Processing and Construction Cooperative Federation Ltd (PACCFED), UP Projects Corporation Ltd (UPPCL), UP Small Industries Corporation (UPSIC), UP Cooperative Federation Ltd (UPPCF) and Shreeton India Ltd, all of which were involved in dubious NRHM deals. While cases have been registered against officials of these organisations and suppliers, Kushwaha so far has not been named in any of the cases involving these organisations.

Former Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Pradeep Shukla and former Director-Generals of Health and Family Dr SP Ram and Dr RR Bharti, who were allegedly responsible for allocation of NRHM funds, told CBI that the decisions regarding allocation of funds and award of contracts were always taken by Kushwaha and they only carried out his instructions.

Besides, senior officials of PACCFED, UPPCL, UPSIC and UPPCF, who are accused, have also told CBI that Kushwaha's associate BSP MLC Ram Prasad Jaiswal used to issue them directions regarding awarding contracts and clearing bills of suppliers.

Based on these statements, CBI will name Kushwaha in these cases, sources said.

Case 1: Involves PACCFED officials' alleged criminal conspiracy role with directors of private firms in awarding contract of upgradation of 89 district hospitals with Rs 89 crore, causing a loss of Rs 25 lakh per hospital to the exchequer.

Case 2: Maintenance contracts of 40 district hospitals, awarded to firms on forged and bogus documents, involving of Rs 160 crore.

... contd.

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