The Vigilance Establishment in Lucknow has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against former Congress MLA Mukesh Srivastava, two former Chief Medical Officers (CMOs), and six other individuals for alleged corruption and financial irregularities in National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) projects in Balrampur district.
Accused Named in the FIR
The FIR names former CMOs Dr. Ghanshyam Singh and Dr. Satyadev, former medical superintendent Dr. Praveen Kumar, senior assistant Ajay Kumar Srivastava, junior assistant Poonam Singh, junior engineer Ram Manorath Maurya, and contractor Rajendra Prasad Srivastava of RP Group.
Allegations of Siphoning Public Funds
According to the FIR, lodged by the Lucknow sector of the Vigilance department after a detailed investigation, the accused conspired to siphon off public funds by clearing payments for incomplete or non-existent works. Investigators flagged collusion between officials and contractors to bypass verification and inflate bills.
Details of the Inquiry
The inquiry, ordered by the state government in 2021, examined transactions between 2017-18 and 2021-22. It found that a private firm was paid in full despite partial execution of works between 2014 and 2019. Funds were also allegedly drawn for three vehicles under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, while only one was in use. Officials are further accused of bypassing tender norms in procurement and printing work, and clearing medical reimbursement claims without records in return for alleged bribes of 10-25%.
Specific Allegations Against Former CMOs
Former CMO Dr. Ghanshyam Singh faces specific allegations of authorizing payments for three vehicles while only one was in operation and approving printing work without inviting tenders. Dr. Ghanshyam Singh, Dr. Satyadev, and Dr. Praveen Kumar have also been accused of irregularities in the processing of medical reimbursement claims.
Other Accused and Retirements
Senior assistant Ajay Kumar Srivastava and junior assistant Poonam Singh have been named as co-accused in the same matter. Several of the accused, including Dr. Ghanshyam Singh, Dr. Satyadev, Dr. Praveen Kumar, and junior engineer Ram Manorath Maurya, have since retired from service.
Previous Arrest and Ongoing Probe
Srivastava was earlier arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the wider NRHM scam. The current probe is ongoing to assess losses and fix individual roles.
