NRHM scheme: HC seeks reply from UP govt

The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court on Thursday asked the state government that if ‘all was well’ in the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scheme, why there has been so much of hue and cry. The state, earlier, had denied any NRHM scam and then concededCBI probe in case, the CAG was able to establish, prima facie, swindling of funds.

The bench of Justice Pradeep Kant and Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi further sought state’s reply whether it had constituted any committee under the chairmanship of chief minister to supervise the fund allocation and spending. If the committee was formed, whether it held meetings and reviewed the situation, asked the court.

The court posted the matter for August 25 to enable the petitioner to file reply on state’s affidavit. The court also sought details of structure of state health mission under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scheme. It wanted to know how the funds were disbursed at different levels and what was the accountability of the officials. Meanwhile, Saurabh Jain, accused of bungling a large amount in the PIL, moved an application in the court stating that the state government was falsely implicating him to protect real culprits. The high court bench has asked him about the names (persons) whom the state was protecting.