No connection with NRHM scam, CBI free to question me: Mayawati

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Sep 22, 2015: Denying any role in the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Tuesday said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is free to question her.

"It is true that CBI officials contacted me last evening and said they want to question me about NRHM," the Bahujan Samaj Party supremo told reporters in New Delhi. "I pointed that all decisions were taken by the Uttar Pradesh cabinet and not the chief minister, but they are free to question me. I have no connection with the scam," she said.

The BSP chief has accused the BJP of using the CBI to target opposition leaders. "The BJP, which is trying to use the CBI, should give up such tactics. They have forgotten that I am not the one to bow down to being bullied. I don’t bow down in front of anyone," she said.

Mayawati is likely to be grilled soon in the multi-crore National Rural Health Mission scam. CBI sources claimed they have got new evidence which makes it necessary to examine the role of the former Chief Minister on two issues -- bifurcation of the Health and Family Welfare Department and creation of 100 posts of District Project Officers who were allegedly instrumental in alleged corruption in the implementation of NRHM schemes.

Mayawati was the Chief Minister when the Department of Health and Family Welfare was bifurcated. It is alleged that the bifurcation was done so that the NRHM funds could be placed directly under the charge of the Department of Family Welfare which was under Minister Babu Singh Kushwaha -- already chargesheeted by the agency.

After filing 74 FIRs and 48 chargesheets in the scam in which the then Minister and Principal Secretary have also been named, the agency has decided to examine Mayawati "to unearth larger conspiracy in the scam". A number of mysterious deaths of government medical officers has also marked the scam.

 

Courtesy: Indiatoday