Vigilance raids unearth cash, official lapses in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: A surprise check carried out by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau  in 71 government offices simultaneously on Wednesday afternoon detected massive irregularities. Unaccounted cash was also seized from the liquor outlets of Kerala State Beverage Corporation.

The raid, code named  ‘Operation Kichadi,’ was mainly targeted at offices having public interface. In many places,  it was found that applications from the public for various services were pending for a long time. The officials could not give genuine explanations to the Vigilance officials. Unaccounted cash was found to be hidden inside bill rolls at a liquor outlet of the beverages corporation in Kollam.

Vigilance director N. Shanker Reddy said that the raids were carried out in the wake of complaints of irregularities in  various offices.

Raids were conducted on  the offices of Kerala Water Authority, sub-registrars, sub- regional transport officer, assistant drugs controllers, taxes, KSEB, beverages corporation and Public Works Department In  many sub-registrar offices, the Vigilance team got evidence of undervaluation of property and delay in issuing various certificates. Massive lapses were found on the part of KWA officials in initiating action against defaulters of water charges. Evidence for irregularities in road work was also recovered from many PWD offices.  “After analysing the evidence  collected, we will send reports to each department  on the irregularities noticed. Actions would be recommended against the officials responsible. Also recommendations on corrective measures to be taken would be given,” said Mr. Reddy.