Promoted by former Finance Minister P Chidambaram's son, Karti, Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd (ZHL), which was allegedly involved in the Rajasthan ambulances services scam, has now been accused of pilfering huge amount of money in Odisha.
The Odisha Ambulance Services Employees Union alleged that more than `300 crore was pilfered by the Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd (ZHL), which is already facing CBI's prosecution in similar illegalities in Rajasthan. The Union has submitted piles of vouchers of over invoicing to siphon the money over a period of five years by the firm.
Based on the allegations made by Union to Odisha state authorities, Income Tax Commissioner, Noida, SK Srivastava lodged a complaint with CBI, Director General (Investigation) of Income and Enforcement Directorate, urging the agencies to take up the probe into matter since the CBI was already investigating "similar fraud" executed by the same firm in Rajasthan.
In the Rajasthan ambulance scam, the agencies had questioned senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot and former Union Minister Vaylar Ravi's son, Ravi Krishna, for their alleged involvement. The Court has taken cognisance of the chargesheet and trail is going on in Rajasthan.
"During my stay at Bhubaneswar in connection with some official work, I was handed over some documents collected by the officials of Odisha Ambulance Service Employees Union alleging misappropriation and pilfering of Government money to the extent of about `300 crores by the Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd (ZHL). The company is controlled by Karti Chidambaram who is one of its Directors. He was named as accused in a FIR filed by the Rajasthan Police as well as the CBI along with others.," said Srivastava.
The complaint pointed out that the money was pilfered by inflating the wage bills, fabricating forged and fake trip records of ambulances and vouchers. Karti-linked-firm engaged contracts with many State Governments for providing service to the "108 Ambulance calling scheme". In many States, it was found that bills were over invoiced and fake trips were created to collect money from the State health departments.