AGARTALA, April 16 (TIWN): Barely Chief Minister Manik Sarkar could come out from Bishalgarh RD Block scam stating, “Except Bishalgarh there is no scam and corruption at any other blocks of the state” another series of corruption has come under limelight comprising of the recent National Health Mission (NHM) scam at Unakoti District has brought an embarrassment for the Tripura Left front govt. once again.With the filing of FIR against 17 health officials, a new set of curious questions are in the air which deserves persuasive response. The very first, is there any development brought in the police investigation to the scam? Secondly, where is the tainted official now against whom the FIR was lodged? Thirdly, will the police be able to arrest the culprits ? or else will play another ploy to rescue them from the scam? Earlier asked about the development of the case, Minister Badal Chowdhury said that the entire matter was handed over to the police now. But it is to be mentioned here that it was that police at Unakoti district who once refused to take any case against the scam, after the Congress Chief Birajit Sinha demanded for it.An internal audit has revealed misappropriation of NHM funds to the tune of Rs 24 crore in the district over a period of seven years till 2013.

What makes the story much interesting is that the uninterrupted 22-year stint in power have taken a toll on the financial transparency of the Left Front administration in Tripura.

Even after the passage of maximum days that the scam was brought under the limelight and the FIR was lodged against 17 NHM official, police was found to have brought no further development to its investigation. The police have not yet arrested the tainted officials even after the FIR was lodged against them leading them the gateway to their escape from the case.

However, this some way or other brings a clear vision of the development of the case with the same police is now investigating the NHM multi-crore scam. One can easily understand if police would try to protect the culprits.

Development, peace and chief minister Manik Sarkar’s clean image are the factors that are likely or unlikely to work in favour of the Left Front yet again. As the poll draw near yet again, the Congress party’ clamor for change has only got louder.   

On yet another major embarrassment for the Left front govt. here in Tripura amidst the rose valley ponzi scam, an FIR has been lodged against at least 17 officers of the National Health Mission on charge of major embezzlement of money for the past three years at Unakoti district under North Tripura.   

The state government had received complaints of misappropriation of fund to the tune of Rs 27 crore from Congress legislator and incumbent Tripura Pradesh Congress president Birajit Sinha during the year 2014, following which the Tripura government has directed State Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) to verify records in view of the alleged embezzlement of funds in the Unakoti district of north Tripura.

It is worthy to mention here that NHM (National Health Mission) Mission Director Dr. Sandeep N Mahatme filed FIR against 17 Medical officials for direct involvement in Rs. 3 crores funds embezzlement in Kailashahar and North Tripura. Dr. Mahatme filed FIR against 17 Doctors, Senior Officials to Addl SP Nabadwip Jamata on Tuesday evening.

FIR filed against 12 Medical officials of North District CMO office and 5 Medical officials of Unakoti District CMO office including Former CMO Unakoti Dr. Dilip Das, Present CMO Dr Alak Dewan, Dr Subhas Barua, Dr. S.N. Chaudhury, Dr. Debashis Talapatra.

As per TIWN sources in Police and CMO office in Kailashahar, NHM scam may even cross Rs. 30 crore as alleged by Congress MLA Birajit Sinha in October 2014 alongwith documentary evidences.  Sources also informed that Unakoti and North Tripura District corrupt CMOs are close to former Health Minister Tapan Chakraborty and trusted by CPM leadership.