NRHM scam: Ram Prasad Jaiswal in CBI custody

Lucknow: CBI has taken BSP MLA Ram Prasad Jaiswal into custody in connection with NRHM scam.

CBI interrogated him in two separate cases related to financial irregularities in the procurement of information material.

Jaiswal was under scrutiny for the supply of construction material and labour to ANM training centres in Lucknow and adjacent districts under the NRHM scheme.

Last week, the CBI had conducted raids across the state, and questioned some former bureaucrats in connetcion with the scam.

The CBI had also conducted raids on sacked BSP MLA Babu Singh Kushwaha, who was inducted into the BJP. The BJP has been facing criticism for his induction since then.

Five people have been arrested in connection with the scam by far. Sources say all the five arrested were close to Kushwaha and the arrests indicate that the noose may be tightening around Kushwaha.

The National Rural Health Scheme is a plan to make changes in the healthcare system. The NRHM plan includes hiking public expenditure on health.

Irregularities were reported in the NRHM fund disbursed to Uttar Pradesh in 2011. In November 2011, the Allahabad High Court directed the CBI to conduct an inquiry into the misuse of the NRHM funds in UP.

The CBI has been probing irregularities in funds disbursed to 72 CMOs across UP. The CBI formed a special probe team to investigate the NRHM scam.