Revenue Vigilance turning blind eye on corruption complaints; nearly 1500 complaints are pending

ALAPPUZHA: Around 1,500 complaints are pending in the Vigilance division, the internal investigation system of the Revenue Department, where the corruption has not ended despite all the services being made online. Most of the complaints are about bribery and irregularities in the village offices. It is alleged that most of the complaints are hoarded without taking any action under the pressure of service organizations. In the last two months, five village officials have been caught red-handed by police vigilance in bribery cases. Yet, the functioning of Revenue Vigilance is not becoming effective.

The Revenue Vigilance Division is under the Land Revenue Commissioner. Offices are located in Thiruvananthapuram (Southern Region), Kochi (Central Region) and Kozhikode (Northern Region). There is a Deputy Collector, a Superintendent and a Clerk in each region for investigation.

The Vigilance Division will investigate the complaints received and recommend action to the Land Revenue Commissioner. It will then be handed over to the respective District Collectors for action. However, no action is taken as many of the complaints are being hoarded due to pressure.

More issues in village offices
1. Complaints are mostly raised against village offices
2. Complaints are raised against delay in issuance of certificates, irregularity, bribery, misconduct etc.

Pending complaints

South Region............564
Central region...................492
North Region..............427
Total..........................1,483

• 100 employees being monitored
• Action recommended against just 6 employees