CCTVs to tackle cash theft from KSEB offices

Thiruvananthapuram: KSEB Limited has decided to install CCTVs in its section offices in a phased manner to prevent increasing instances of cash theft from the ‘cash chests’ kept in these offices.

“Theft of cash from the ‘cash chest’ and the embezzlement of Board’s money are increasing nowadays and many cases are reported from the field offices recently,” a top KSEB source said.

A series of enquiries conducted by the Vigilance Wing had stated that the involvement of cashiers in many of the cases could not be ruled out. The enquiries had also found that the cash chest kept in section offices was also accessible to night duty employees and field staff of the section. It was also found that the chest key and key of the cash room was kept without any security.

“The lethargic attitude of cashiers and supervisory officers in handling public money without any care seems to be the root cause of such incidents,” the Vigilance enquiry report had stated.

Installing close circuit television in section offices for surveillance of money transaction and the cash chest room was one of the many recommendations made by the vigilance wing to prevent such incidents in future.

The vigilance has also recommended the section offices follow the ‘locker system’ used in banks to deal with the money in the cash chest. Accordingly, one set of key given to the cashier may be jointly operated by the cashier and the senior superintendent. It was also recommended that the spare key must be kept under the control of the executive engineer and any misuse, loss, carelessness in keeping of keys may be treated as their dereliction of duty.