Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has accused the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh for directly abetting embezzlement of funds meant for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

In a letter written to the Chief Minister, Mr Ramesh favoured a CBI inquiry into misuse of funds and irregularities and hoped that the State government will give its concurrence, if it has nothing to hide and has a clear conscience.

Mr. Ramesh has specifically mentioned seven districts including Balrampur, Gonda, Mahoba, Sonebhadra, Sant Kabir Nagar and Mirzapur where central funds have been allegedly misused by the state.

Mr. Ramesh also alleged that the State has ignored taking action on 22 reports of the National Level Monitors which highlighted grave irregularities.

He said the State Quality Monitor's report on the four districts of Sonebhadra, Mirzapur, Kushinagar and Sant Kabir Nagar was also swept under the carpet.

Mr. Ramesh said, 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 yo