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