Lucknow: Renewing his demand for a CBI probe
into implementation of MNREGA in UP, Union Minister Jairam Ramesh on Saturday asked Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to send a
"strong message" that the new government would not tolerate
corruption or scams.
"I have requested Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to
recommend CBI probe into the implementation of MNREGA scheme
specially in these three districts (Gonda, Balrampur and
Sonbhadra) where largescale misappropriation has come to
light," the Union Minister for Rural Development told
reporters here after meeting the chief minister.
The CAG audit is on in 12 states which would be completed
in seven to eight months` time but it would be better not to
wait till then and the chief minister has said that he would
look into it soon, Ramesh said.
"Though it is difficult to find out how much of the Rs
6500 to Rs. 7000 crores spent in UP under the scheme has gone
with whom, it should be accepted that scams have taken place,"
the minister said, adding that in a letter written earlier to
the state government he had given examples of how funds have
been misappropriated in various districts.
Promising full support to the state, he said that he
told Yadav that though they are political rivals but on the
issue of rural development, they would work together.
He, however, added that no political meaning should be
derived from it as "this cooperation" was "just an indication
that UPA government does not discriminate with non-Congress
ruled states and charges to this effect are unfounded and
false".
Though some good work has also been done under the
MNREGA, he said, "in UP there is an atmosphere that there
are scams all around and it has to be ensured that its funds
are not misused by the sarpanchs in buying Boleros."
"A CBI probe will send a strong message that the new UP
government would not tolerate corruption or scams," Ramesh
said.
PTI
