The Centre has expressed its readiness for a CBI probe into the alleged multi-crore scam in the National Rural Health Mission in Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad High Court has been informed.

The central government stand on the issue was expressed before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court during the hearing on a pending PIL on Thursday, seeking a CBI probe into the alleged scam in the entire state.

Additional Solicitor General, Ashok Nigam told PTI later that he has taken the stand on behalf of the central government before the division bench comprising justice Pradip Kant and Justice Rituraj Awasthi.

Meanwhile, the state government was of the view that handing over the probe to CBI at this stage was inappropriate.

The chief standing counsel D K Upadhaya said at present there was no material to hand over the case to CBI and the decision can be taken only after CAG submits it's audit report.

"CAG has already started its audit on the request of the state government on August 8 by dividing the entire state into five regions and all documents relating to the NRHM have been handed over to them," Upadhaya said.

The court had earlier sought the stand of the central government on the issue in question.

Meanwhile, a detailed supplementary counter affidavit was filed today on behalf of the central government stating therin the details of the monitoring of the National Rural Health Mission scheme (NHRM) in Uttar Pradesh.

The court has fixed August 18 as the next date of hearing.