Fraud in CM’s relief fund: Directs for comprehensive probe, only fraction of massive fraud has come to light

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An extensive inspection has been directed after it became clear that massive fraud is being done in the name of the Chief Minister's relief fund through agents with the connivance of the officials. It has been instructed to conduct a comprehensive checking of the applications and documents submitted seeking assistance. Shocking information came out in the lightning raid conducted by the vigilance yesterday. Following this an extensive inspection has been directed. The extent of the fraud will be clear only after the raid, which will continue in the coming days.

In the inspection conducted yesterday, it was found that medical aid was being given in the name of the dead. Doctors are also involved in the fraud by taking bribes and issuing fake medical certificates. A doctor in Punalur issued 1500 medical certificates for this purpose.

Medical aid was pilfered in the name of the dead in Kollam, Kottayam and Alappuzha. The fraud is conspired by the officers and agents in charge of the relief fund in the collectorates. Money is extorted by producing fake medical and income certificates. The agents and officials will take the amount fixed earlier.

Vigilance chief Manoj Abraham told Kerala Kaumudi that there are huge irregularities in all districts and money is being sanctioned without any checking or norms.

Most of the certificates issued along with online application are fake. No scrutiny. The condition is that the annual family income should not exceed one lakh. However, in Ernakulam, a pravasi Malayalee was given Rs 3 lakh and another pravasi Rs 45,000 were given as medical aid. Financial aid was also given to the application where medical expenses were not mentioned in the medical certificate. Two medical certificates in the same handwriting were signed by two doctors in Kasargod. People who did not give their Aadhaar and ration card copies and did not sign the application also got money.