Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government has hit back at Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh following the latter's note to Chief Minister Mayawati.  In the note  - the second he has sent to Mayawati -  the minister accused her of protecting those involved in alleged irregularities in implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). In this note, Mr Ramesh listed names of officers alleged to be involved in the scam. He also quoted figures in this connection.

Reacting to the note UP's Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar has said "Uttar Pradesh is the best performing state,'' as far as the rural employment scheme is concerned.

The Mayawati government is also believed to be preparing a tough response to the Union Minister's letter on corruption in implementation of NREGA in UP. Sources say they will be charging the Centre with ''harassment,'' and will argue the allegations made in Mr Ramesh's letter are instances of action already initiated against cases of malpractice in NREGA in UP.

Earlier on, the minister had written to Ms Mayawati in October. She had then sent a reply directly to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh alleging that the letter was politically motivated with no specifics mentioned.

Tags: Jairam Ramesh letter to Mayawati, NREGA