Assets Worth Rs 89 Lakh Linked to UP NRHM Scam Seized by ED
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Synopsis
The ED has provisionally seized assets worth Rs 89.84 lakh linked to the NRHM scam in Uttar Pradesh. This action follows a CBI FIR from 2012, highlighting the misappropriation of funds aimed at providing health services to the needy.
Key Takeaways
- ED attaches Rs 89.84 lakh of medical suppliers.
- Scam linked to UPA's NRHM launched in 2005.
- Funds misused for health services to the poor.
- Criminal conspiracy involving multiple stakeholders.
- Fraudulent supply of medicines at inflated prices.
Lucknow, March 10 (NationPress) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in the Lucknow Zonal Office has provisionally attached properties and bank accounts of compromised medical suppliers, amounting to Rs 89.84 lakh, in connection with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam in Uttar Pradesh, an official confirmed on Monday.
This scandal is tied to the flagship mission initiated by the UPA government in 2005, during which the CAG reported that Rs 5,754 crore sent by the Centre to the Uttar Pradesh government went unaccounted for.
Funds intended for providing essential health services to impoverished citizens were allegedly misappropriated by a network of officials, contractors, middlemen, and politicians, as per investigations by federal agencies.
The assets attached today under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, comprise seven bank deposits worth Rs 68.62 lakh in the names of S.K. Pandey and A.K. Shukla, a residential property valued at Rs 10.16 lakh belonging to Nirupama Pandey, and a land plot worth Rs 11.06 lakh held by S.N. Gupta. These properties are located in Lucknow and Varanasi.
The ED launched its investigation following an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2012, citing various provisions of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
It is alleged that S.K. Pandey, owner of S. K. Distributors, along with A.K. Shukla, Nirupama Pandey, and S.N. Gupta, conspired with Chief Medical Officers and district officials from Varanasi, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, and Chandauli to unlawfully procure NRHM supply orders for government hospitals from 2005 to 2011.
The accused entities fraudulently provided medicines and medical equipment under the NRHM scheme at inflated prices, exceeding the prevailing rate contracts, leading to a financial loss of Rs 1.14 crore to the government.
The ED has identified the proceeds of crime associated with the misappropriation of NRHM funds and has now attached these assets valued at Rs 89.84 lakh, stated the official.
