Thiruvananthapuram, 24 Sept (H.S.): A statewide surprise inspection of Kerala’s sports councils has flagged missing equipment, unspent funds and alleged violations of financial and tender rules, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau said on Thursday.

The inspection, named ‘Operation Kalikkalam’, covered the State Sports Council headquarters and offices of all 14 district sports councils under the bureau’s Project Zero initiative. The agency said the findings pointed to lapses in supervision and record-keeping.

Several district councils had not fully utilised funds received under the Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan within the stipulated period. Equipment purchased with council funds was either left undistributed or could not be accounted for. The bureau also alleged that athletes who had not qualified at district-level championships were sent to state competitions.

At several offices, registration fees were collected from athletes through UPI without proper receipts. Inspectors found vouchers lacking essential details and deficiencies in cash books and registers covering purchases, property, disposals and contracts. Tender and quotation procedures were allegedly bypassed for some projects and purchases.

The bureau reported differing rental rates for the same indoor stadium facilities. It also said officials at some offices had received UPI payments from contractors awarded council projects.

At the state headquarters, equipment distribution had not been properly recorded. Items listed as received from the National Games Academy could not be traced, and five laptops entered in the stock register were missing. Hostel attendance records reportedly continued to include athletes who had stopped attending, with expenditure recorded against their names until deductions were made.

The inspection also flagged consultants appointed without government sanction and allowances paid to a former State Sports Council president without proper orders. It questioned travel allowances received by a government employee who served as a district council president without the required permission, and house rent allowance paid to a coach who allegedly used accommodation at the P T Usha Coaching Centre.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman