Political wrangling over Rs 25 crore medicine, medical equipment and infrastructure scam in Bihar intensified today with former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar writing to his friend-turned foe senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, seeking information regarding it.
"Confusing statements are being passed by you regarding me in the purchase of medicines and equipment by State Health Society Bihar (SHSB) and Bihar Medical Services Infrastructure Corporation Limited (BMSICL). Accusations are being made that the irregularities in purchase happened when the charge of the health department was with me," wrote Kumar in the letter to Modi, copy of which is available with PTI.
"I don't have any official information about this matter. Since you are raising the issue with authority everyday, I want to know how many times the minister's orders were taken for the tenders floated by SHSB and BMSICL. Also tell me when was the purchase committee or technical committee were constituted and what was the role of Health Minister in their work and decisions," wrote Kumar.
In the two-page letter to Modi, the former CM has written that efforts were being made to connect the name of a government official Sanjay Kumar with him, who was his personal secretary for a few months during his early tenure.
But that official later returned to his parent cadre due to health reasons. Kumar also asked Modi in his missive to shed light on how was the concerned official again selected to work in Bihar and whether he was the lone official who came to Bihar to work.
"It will be relevant to know which work were allotted to him and from what level when the official in question was posted as joint secretary in the health department. I also want to know how the work done by him during his tenure at health department is being linked to his tenure as personal secretary to CM," added Kumar in the epistle.
Addressing Modi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Bihar Legislative Council, Kumar has requested him to provide the information sought so that he can also be able to comment on the issue.
The senior JD(U) leader has also written to Bihar Chief Secretary (CS) Anjani Kumar Singh for official information on the scam that is raging in the state for the last two months.
He has called for full information regarding decisions taken in the purchase of medicines and equipment at the level of the government, as well as, the appointment of official Sanjay Kumar in Bihar.
The former CM has cited that this will enable him to understand the matter and comment on it.
Meanwhile, continuing his diatribe at Kumar, Modi today alleged that another scam worth several crore rupees had taken place in medical infrastructure construction during the period he had the health portfolio with him.
Addressing media persons, Modi quoted extensively from a report of AG (Audit) sent to SHSB and BMSICL that financial irregularities ranging between Rs 4.78 crore and Rs 8.62 crore took place when the infrastructure projects were executed. He also reiterated the demand for CBI probe into the entire matter.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi told reporters today that the probe into the financial irregularities in the health department in the scam was going on and those involved in it will be punished.
"When and during whose tenure the medical scam happened is written in the files. Who all will come under it is being analysed and action will be taken against the culprits," said Manjhi.
Reacting to questions regarding BJP's allegations on Nitish Kumar's connection in the medical scam, the CM said, "Anybody can take anybody's name if a scam has taken place.
"What is the big deal about it? The question is when and during whose tenure it happened? If it happened during Nitish Kumar or Jitan Ram Manjhi's tenure then allegations will be levelled on them too."
In a related development, RJD MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, alleged that former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi has amassed huge property during his tenure as the state Finance minister and it should be investigated deeply.
Ranjan also demanded probe into the departmental activities of all ministers belonging to the BJP when it was part of the government led by JD(U).
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