Thiruvananthapuram, July 24: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has launched a statewide anti-corruption drive, codenamed “Operation Parppidam”, conducting surprise inspections at 68 local self-government offices across Kerala. The operation targeted alleged irregularities in the issuance of building permits, occupancy certificates, property tax assessments, and the regularisation of unauthorised constructions.
The inspections covered six municipal corporations, 30 municipalities, and 24 grama panchayats under the VACB’s Project Zero initiative, which aims to strengthen transparency and eliminate corruption in public service delivery. Vigilance officials examined official records, financial transactions, and approval procedures to identify possible violations and misuse of authority.
According to the preliminary findings, the Vigilance Bureau detected suspected financial transactions amounting to nearly ₹45 lakh involving more than 30 officials, contractors, architects, engineers, consultants, and other private individuals. Investigators suspect that some officials accepted illegal payments through online banking and UPI transactions in exchange for granting approvals for buildings that allegedly violated construction norms.
The raids also uncovered several instances of unauthorised buildings receiving occupancy certificates, illegal allotment of building numbers, delayed action against unauthorised constructions, and irregularities in property tax assessments. In some local bodies, officials allegedly failed to initiate action against buildings constructed in violation of mandatory regulations relating to setbacks, parking provisions, floor area ratio, and fire safety requirements.
VACB Director Manoj Abraham said the operation was based on intelligence inputs indicating widespread corruption in local body approval processes. He urged the public to report instances of bribery and corruption through the Vigilance helpline, assuring that complaints would be investigated promptly.
Officials stated that the investigation is continuing and that further legal and departmental action will be taken against those found responsible. The Kerala Government has described the operation as one of the state’s most comprehensive anti-corruption initiatives in recent years, aimed at improving accountability, ensuring compliance with building regulations, and restoring public confidence in local governance.
