Bengaluru: The Leader of Opposition in Assembly Jagadish Shettar said on Saturday that a ‘furniture scam’ has taken place in the Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Department.

Shettar alleged that a scam to the tune of Rs 17.5 crore had taken place in the department while purchasing furniture and demanded RD&PR Minister H K Patil’s resignation for the same.

He claimed that Patil had indulged in nepotism and had awarded the purchase order of furniture to his “relative” R J Kamanagoudar and his “acquaintance” Govind Reddy, flouting tender procedures. The furniture was being purchased for the offices of the newly created Rural Water and Sanitation department.

“The furniture was brought at double the market rate. It is of poor quality and is not branded. They are all China-made products. Crores of rupees have been misappropriated,” he said.  

Shettar released certain documents to support his claim and demanded immediate resignation of Patil for gross violation of rules.

The BJP leader had earlier exposed a ‘water testing lab’ scam putting Patil in the dock.

H K Patil orders inquiry

Hours after the allegations, RDPR Minister H K Patil ordered a judicial inquiry into the scam.

It is said that the department suspended six officials of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department (RWSSD), which come under the purview of RDPR Ministry.

Patil announced that a retired judge of the district session court would be heading the probe team.