25.10.11
Jairam Ramesh cites multi-crore MNREGA scam in UP, warns of CBI inquiry
Ashish Tripathi, TNN | Oct 25, 2011, 03.58PM IST
LUCKNOW: Five days after Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi accused Mayawati government in UP of mega-scale corruption in the centrally sponsored schemes, union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh has shot off a letter to UP chief minister Mayawati citing a huge scam in the MNREGA scheme in the state. According to sources, Jairam has specifically mentioned seven districts Balrampur, Gonda, Mahoba, Sonbhadra, Sant Kabir Nagar and Mirzapur where central funds have been allegedly misused by the state. He has also warned that a CBI inquiry can be ordered if the UP government failed to take any action. The letter is also being seen as escalating tension between the ruling BSP and the Congress-led UPA government.
Ramesh has in written that working through Nari Sanghs has been able to bring about a greater awareness of the rights of MG-NREGA workers. "I have myself interacted with one such organization called Vanangana which is active in Chitrakoot and Banda. But the overall feedback that we have so far reveals that the implementation of MG-NREGA in Uttar Pradesh has been far from satisfactory, more so in most other states. Many serious and, in fact, brazen violations and cases of deliberate embezzlement of funds have been coming to the notice of the union ministry of rural development from time to time. The ministry deputes National Level Monitors (NLMs) to investigate into serious complaints. However, I am sorry to say that state government has not been taking any worthwhile action on the findings and recommendations of these NLMs. As many as 22 NLM reports, which have pointed out grave irregularities, have been pending for action with the state government for months together," he has written.
Further, Ramesh has stated in the letter "It is not just the findings of the National Level Monitors that have been ignored by the state government. I find that findings of the State Quality Monitor (SQM) himself in relation to the implementation of MG-NREGA in the four districts of Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Kushinagar and Sant Kabeernagar have been ignored. No action has been taken on the recommendations regarding probing disproportionate asset or criminal liability of officials. Some officials appear to have been suspended but there has been no action on the many other recommendations made by this impartial inquiry conducted an officer well-known for his integrity. The signal that has gone out by the state government's continuing inaction is clear-make money openly, flout all rules and procedures blatantly and nothing will happen to you if you have the patronage of the ruling establishment in the state."
Ramesh has also warned Mayawati that union rural development ministry always has the option of stopping funds to UP, either wholly or partially, for MG-NREGA till credible action has been taken by the state government on the reports submitted by the NLMs and SQMs. But, he has stated, this would amount to penalising the poor people of the state for crimes committed by officials at various levels and their political patrons. "The other option we have is to get a thorough CBI investigation conducted, for which I require the concurrence of the state government. Surely, if the state government has nothing to hide and has a clear conscience, it should have no objection to our request to have a thorough CBI inquiry conducted into MG-NREGA implementation in some districts of the state based on the findings of the NLMs and SQMs and the various media reports that have appeared. Such an enquiry would ensure and expedite justice to the weakest sections of society." he has stated.
"I look forward to hearing from you and your concurrence for an urgent CBI probe into the implementation of MG-NREGA Balrampur, Gonda, Mahoba, Sonbhadra, Sant Kabir Nagar, Mirzapur and Kushinagar. The need for such a CBI probe is urgent since the labour budget under MG-NREGA has exceeded Rs 5000 crore in UP which, incidentally, has all been borne by the Central government. The criminal conspiracies in these districts to defraud the Central and state government appear to be as scandalous as what has been the case with the National Rural Health Mission in the state which is the subject of an on-going CBI investigation," Ramesh states in the letter.
Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a public meeting in Amethi on October 20, had said that lions share of funds under MNREGA and mid day meal project never reached the target segment and is siphoned off en route. Rahul had alleged that the food grain meant for mid day meals scheme in UP was being sold off in the black market.
Significantly, the Mayawati government has not yet signed the state support agreement to facilitate construction of 140 km highway from Rae Bareli to Banda and 165 km highway from Rae Bareli to Tanda. Rae Bareli is Congress president Sonia Gandhi's constituency. As a result, the union highway ministry has now decided to execute the projects under the engineering-procurement-construction model, under which it can get to work right away without state support.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jairam-Ramesh-cites-multi-crore-MNREGA-scam-in-UP-warns-of-CBI-inquiry/articleshow/10487415.cms
Kalyanaraman
Member, Action Committee Against Corruption in India (ACACI)
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