Using stern words, she pulled up the district magistrates for not performing their duties well. She warned them of dire consequences if found guilty of neglecting their duties, especially in implementing NREGS in the state.

Originally, the meeting was supposed to be addressed by Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh.

Mayawati said NREGS provides 100 days of employment to rural people living below the poverty line, but government officers should also try to ensure jobs for such people through other Central and state schemes as well.

She reminded the district magistrates of her directives to be present at their offices from 10 am to noon in order to meet the public and listen to their problems.

“But I have information that many district magistrates are not following my orders,” the chief minister said, adding that she will now start sending senior officers from Lucknow to monitor this practice.

“The officers might forgive your lackadaisical attitude, but if I find any officer absent on duty, during my surprise inspection, I will not spare him,” Mayawati clarified.

She also pointed out that she had given the district officers enough freedom and authority which they should use to ensure that there was no power theft, cities are clean and hygienic conditions prevail in the hospitals, besides ensuring no scarcity of water.