Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot in trouble, Raje government recommends CBI probe

Jaipur, Oct 21: A day after the BJP government won the assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, Rajasthan CM

recommended a CBI probe in the 108 ambulance scam, which involved the previous CM

and other Congress leaders. Some of the other names that have been dragged into the scam include state party chief

, former Union minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram, Ravi Krishna, the son of former minister Vayalar Ravi and former state health minister Duru Mian.

The state police had filed a case against all of them, accusing them of cheating and conspiracy. To this, Mr Gehlot said,"Political pressure evident from first FIR. Police is also under pressure. It's sad. We believe the truth will prevail."

Going back to 2009, the scam involves one Ziqitza Health Care Limited, which is run by Ravi Krishna. The company had got the tender of running several 108 ambulances in Rajasthan, Bihar and Punjab. The services were a part of the National Health Mission and was a public-private partnership to ensure help for emergency patients. In March 2012, the BJP alleged that the company was being paid crores of rupees for ambulances that were never there or for fictional trips.

An audit report by the Gehlot government found huge financial discrepencies and losses to the tune of Rs. 2.56 crore. However, no action was taken on the report.

Meanwhile, Sachin Pilot said,"It seems government agencies have started to work at the behest of the BJP and Congress functionaries are being targeted."

While the case was being handled by the state's Criminal Investigation Department, the same has now advised the chief minister to recommend a CBI inquiry.

OneIndia News