Patil denies personal secy's role in irregular parking of funds in banks

 Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) H K Patil on Wednesday described as far from truth reports that his personal secretary had asked the department officials to deposit funds in various banks in violation of norms.

Replying to Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar, who sought his clarification on the issue in the Assembly, he said those involved in the irregularity were making such charges against him. “I took the initiative to dig out money parked in the banks against the norms. Nobody from my office has issued such a direction. It is far from truth,” he added.

Deccan Herald had recently carried a report stating that Rs 115 crore released by the Centre under the 13th Finance Commission was deposited in six different banks, following a direction from the minister’s personal secretary.

The money was deposited in two instalments in 2014 and 2015. The report by the Punati Sridhar Committee set up by the government to look into unauthorised accounts has also mentioned about these accounts.

Patil further said the government would not keep quiet when the taxpayers’ money was deposited illegally in banks. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed that a probe should be conducted in this regard and all lapses set right within two months. Besides, an audit is being done of the accounts of the department, he added.

JD(S) MLA H K Kumarasw-amy sought to know why the government had not taken stern action against the officials who were responsible for depositing the money. The officials would not have opened so many accounts and deposited hundreds of crores without any gain. Steps should be taken to conduct a probe into the transactions, he added.