New Delhi/Ranchi, Aug 31 - A senior civil servant of Jharkhand is under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) scanner for his alleged involvement in a Rs.1.3 billion scam in the state's health department.

Pradeep Kumar, former Jharkhand health secretary, has been named in the case for misusing his official position and 'fraudulently and dishonestly' purchasing medicines, medical equipment and appliances for hospitals from 19 suppliers worth over Rs.130 crore (Rs.1.3 billion), a statement said Monday.

Vijay Shankar Narain Singh, a state Reproductive Child Health officer, also faces a probe for 'criminal conspiracy' with Kumar and three other people for making the purchses 'without assessing the actual requirement and without observing the codal formalities', the statement said.