Vigilance's Operation 'Short Circuit'; KSEB in corruption shock

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Widespread corruption has been detected in tenders, contract works, and vehicle usage in the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). Vigilance officials have found that bribes amounting to lakhs of rupees were exchanged through Google Pay. Contractors were allegedly benamis of officials, and bills were cleared without proper inspections.

The large-scale irregularities came to light during vigilance raids conducted in 70 electrical section offices under an operation named "Short Circuit." Vigilance authorities said cases will be registered and departmental action will be recommended. As many as 41 officials allegedly accepted bribes worth Rs 16.5 lakh from contractors through Google Pay.

To avoid e-tenders for large projects, works were split into smaller amounts. The same contractors were given works for years. Contract vehicles were misused, and in many places, records related to contract work were not properly maintained. Scrap registers, log books, and work registers were found to be inaccurate. Scrap materials were not stored after completion of works.

Many works were not carried out as per the approved estimates. Earth pipes were not used in the required quantity, and muffing was not done for metal posts, yet payments were approved. In Thrippunithura, contracts for 12 works were awarded to the same contractor.

In Sultanpet, Palakkad, works were carried out by an unlicensed contractor and his son. Contractors in Pattambi, Alathur, Chittur, and Parali were also found to be operating without licenses.

Unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 34,000 was seized from officials in Manjeri, Perinthalmanna, Nilambur, Wandoor, and Kondotty. In Kasargod, works were split into multiple contracts below Rs 5 lakh to avoid e-tendering and were awarded to the same contractor. At the Mavunkal section office, contracts were issued in the names of temporary employees.

Bribe transactions through Google Pay
(Officials involved – Amount – Location)

Assistant Engineers
Rs 35,000 - Kumily
Rs 2,35,700 - Kattappana
Rs 42,900 - Palakkad, Sultanpet
Rs 1.27 lakh - Chittur
Rs 50,800 - Kalpetta
Rs 64,000 - Koothuparamba

Sub Engineers
Rs 55,200 - Varkala
Rs 38,000 - Parasala
Rs 5,000 each - Two persons, Anchal
Rs 15,000 - Adoor
Rs 16,500 - Cherthala
Rs 1.83 lakh - Changanassery
Rs 46,500 - Kumily
Rs 25,000 - Kattappana
Rs 47,700 - Kattappana
Rs 8,000 - Sultanpet
Rs 5,100 - Sultanpet
Rs 20,000 - Chittur
Rs 33,000 - Bathery
Rs 4,000 - Bathery
Rs 70,500 - Manjeri (sent by a temporary employee)

Others
Rs 18,550 - Overseer, Changanassery
Rs 47,600 - Two employees, Chottanikkara
Rs 88,800 - Received by a temporary employee, Chottanikkara
Rs 7,800 - Temporary employee, Bathery
Rs 41,400 - Public Relations Assistant, Kalpetta

Suspicious transfers
Rs 1.67 lakh - Given to a Thiruvalla overseer by a nearby shop owner
Rs 1.86 lakh - Sent by Kattappana officials to contractors (suspected benami transaction)

Irregularities and bribery will be taken seriously. Account details of corrupt officials, their family members, and contractors will be collected as part of the investigation.
- Manoj Abraham
Vigilance Director