KAPIL MISHRA ALLEGES SCAM IN HEALTH FUNDS
NEWDELHI: Suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Kapil Mishra on Saturday accused Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleague, Satyendar Jain, of misappropriating health ministry funds during their two-year rule over the national capital.
“There are three big scams related to the health portfolio, headed by Jain,” he said at a press conference here, even as the Delhi government dismissed his charges as “ridiculous” and “unsubstantiated”.
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said the expelled Karawal Nagar legislator’s rants did not even merit a response. “This has been going on for long. Do enjoy the soap opera. There is nothing we can say in response to his allegations,” he added.
This is the latest in a string of allegations levelled by Mishra against Kejriwal and other members of the party.
Within days of being sacked from his position of water minister, he charged AAP leaders with using “money and women” to fight elections in Punjab and Delhi.
On Saturday, Mishra said the first “scam” in the health department pertained to procuring medicines worth ₹300 crore.
“The government bought medicines worth crores six months in advance, even when hospitals said they were not needed. Three godowns were built to store the drugs that are now going waste because there are no takers,” he added.
The former minister produced copies of medical bills and the soft copy of a letter by former health secretary Tarun Seem – asking all medical superintendents to use up their drug stocks – as evidence. Seem was also involved in the scam, he said.
Mishra said the second case pertained to the purchase of 100 ambulances. “Immediately after procurement, four ambulances caught fire. Did the government not conduct proper fitness checks first?” he questioned.
The expelled legislator also accused Jain of appointing at least 30 medical superintendents to various hospitals across Delhi in violation of procedures. “No rule was followed in the appointment of 30 superintendents. This case is exactly the same as the appointment of Nikunj Aggarwal as the OSD (officer on special duty) of Satyendar Jain, which is being probed by the CBI,” he said.
A government spokesperson slammed Mishra for making “ridiculous charges” without offering any substantial evidence. Nevertheless, Mishra plans to meet lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal to register an FIR. “I have sought an appointment with the lieutenant-governor. This matter is serious, and needs his immediate intervention. I will also approach the anti-corruption branch,” he said.