Scam worth Rs 134 cr in rural development dept unearthed

An alleged scam involving funds worth Rs 134 crore meant for public work has been unearthed with a senior official in the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department being suspended.
Ramakrishna, Deputy Secretary (Rural Water Supply) at the department, has been suspended on the charges of parking funds released by the central and state governments for development works in a bank account without bringing it to the notice of higher officials, Karnataka Rural Development Minister H K Patil said.
He said the official deposited department funds worth Rs 134 crore over the last four years in an account at a bank here and has transacted with the bank over nine times. This amounts to official indulging in a serious misconduct, and hence he has been suspended with immediate effect.

Patil also said Lokayukta has been asked to investigate the matter.
He said he has received information about misappropriation of funds in the department.
"We are looking into the matter. If anything that is illegal is found, strict action will be taken against those responsible.