Thiruvananthapuram ,23 July (H.S.):A statewide surprise inspection by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has uncovered widespread irregularities and suspected corruption in the processing of building permits, occupancy certificates and action against unauthorised constructions in Kerala's local self-government institutions.

The inspections, carried out on Wednesday under the special drive titled Operation Parppidam, covered 68 local body offices, including six corporations, 30 municipalities and 24 grama panchayats. The operation continued until late at night.

According to the VACB, its preliminary findings indicate that officials allegedly received around ₹45 lakh through illegal payments from private consultancy firms, engineers, architects, contractors and agents involved in preparing and submitting building plans for approval.

Investigators also detected several online financial transactions between contractors, consultants and government officials that have raised suspicions of bribery in the processing of building permit applications. In one of the major findings, ₹21.5 lakh was allegedly deposited into the bank account of the Kunnamkulam Municipality Secretary through intermediaries over the past year. Vigilance said the official failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the transactions.

In Kochi Corporation's Fort Kochi zonal office, two assistant engineers, an overseer and a building inspector allegedly received a total of ₹12.69 lakh through online transfers from contractors. At Nedumangad Municipality, officials recovered ₹45,000 in unaccounted cash from the private vehicle of a surveyor. Suspicious financial transactions involving officials in Neyyattinkara and Varkala municipalities, as well as Ambalavayal Grama Panchayat, were also detected.

The inspection further revealed serious violations in the issuance of building permits, occupancy certificates, building numbers and tax assessments. Vigilance alleged that officials had ignored mandatory procedures, facilitated unauthorised constructions, issued occupancy certificates after accepting bribes, and assigned residential building numbers to commercial establishments to enable tax evasion.

Irregularities, including violations of Coastal Regulation Zone norms, failure to act against illegal constructions and suspicious financial dealings by officials, were identified in local bodies across several districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kasaragod.

The VACB said detailed follow-up investigations would be conducted in every case and strict legal action would be initiated wherever necessary. Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham IPS appealed to the public to report corruption through the toll-free helpline 1064, the phone number 8592900900 or WhatsApp number 9447789100.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman