New Delhi:
With the CBI intensifying its investigations into the multi-crore National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam, the Comptroller and Auditor General or CAG has tried to quantify the irregularities.
The report of the top auditor, which takes into account the period between 2008 and 2011, says that the release and use of Rs 3000 crore under the scheme lacked accountability and that procurements were done through an unauthorised body that violated all prescribed norms.
It also says that open tenders were not floated for procurements worth Rs 1000 crore and one IAS officer was given the free hand to make crucial purchase decisions.
So far, the CBI has conducted more than 90 raids and arrested over half a dozen officials and suppliers. The agency feels the auditor's report will help them narrow the focus of their investigations.
But the Opposition is already widening its attack against the Mayawati government.
"You just you wait and watch how the money trail will lead to the fifth floor of the Secretariat to Mayawati's office," said Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh.
Just ahead of the state elections, the BJP may have embraced former family welfare minister BS Kushwaha as its anti-corruption mascot, but it realises that its projected whistleblower may turn out to be a political liability.
"Anybody who is involved should be arrested," said BJP leader Uma Bharti.
As the CBI digs deep into the multi-layered scam, it hopes the auditor's findings will help reveal the original plot that has not only led to financial bungling of thousands of crores but also to deaths of three senior medical officers.