Rural jobs row: Mayawati hits back at Ramesh

Lucknow, October 28, 2011 (PTI)



Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday wrote a letter to the Prime Minister stating that irregularities cited by Union Minister Jairam Ramesh in implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the State are "politically motivated".



She accused Mr. Ramesh of having a pre-conceived agenda and arriving at conclusions without taking cognisance of steps taken by her government.



"The Minister, through his letter, attempted to score political points by alleging misuse of funds by the U.P. The letter was released to the media much before it was received here confirming the intentions of the Minister," Ms. Mayawati said in the letter.



Mr. Ramesh had accused the Mayawati government of "continuing inaction" in instances of "grave irregularities" in the implementation of the scheme.



In a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr. Ramesh had pointed out that as many as 22 reports of National Level Monitors (NLMs), which brought out serious violations of funds, were pending for action from the State government.



On withholding release of funds under MNREGS, Ms. Mayawati said funds released by the Centre were not largesse but form a part of the revenue sharing mechanism under federal system.



"It would be appropriate, if the Minister is apprised of the Centre-State fiscal arrangements provided in our Constitution. It is obvious that Ramesh has a pre-conceived agenda and has arrived at the conclusions without taking any cognisance of the steps taken by State government," she said.



About allegation regarding inaction of State by NLMs, Ms. Mayawati said that of 67 reports received since inception of the scheme, 49 reports have already submitted.



About the seven district mentioned in the Minister's letter, Ms. Mayawati said proceeding have been initiated against six Chief Development Officers (CDO), seven project directors, 28 block development officers besides other.



In her letter, which was briefed to reporters by Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh at a press conference in Lucknow, Ms. Mayawati also gave details of action against in case of MNREGS irregularities and State's achievements.



The Chief Minister alleged that the Union Minister has deliberately sought to generalise his subjective impressions formed during his interactions with on NGO, which is working in Chitrakoot.



"He (Minister) has tried to make sweeping generalisations from certain findings with respect to only seven districts conveniently forgetting that UP has 75 districts," she said.



Terming the Minister's view on release of funds to UP as "distinct signs of colonial hangover", Ms. Mayawati said that he seems to think that Central grants for sponsored programmes are discretions he bestowed on the State.



Taking objection over drawing a parallel of MNREGS with the NRHM, the Chief Minister said the Minister has shown blatant disregard of "rules of business" by doing so as NRHM has not connection, whatsoever, with his Ministry.



Ms. Mayawati said she had also directed the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) to probe into alleged irregularities to initiate action against those guilty.



She also requested the Prime Minister to ensure timely release of funds to the state to facilitate continued implementation of MNREGS in the State.



Asked about the possibilities of a CBI probe into the matter, Mr. Shekhar said that it was not needed as the Minister's letter was general and not specific.



Meanwhile, Union Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal and the State Congress committee demanded a CBI probe into the matter.



"If Mayawati feels, that letter is politically motivated why is she shying away from a CBI probe. She should come clean by ordering a probe," Mr. Jaiswal said.


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