Govt orders probe into financial irregularities in municipalities

KOCHI: The government has ordered an investigation into major irregularities uncovered by the audit department in the financially leading municipalities of Kalamassery and Thrikkakara. The move by Minister M.B. Rajesh follows a report by Kerala Kaumudi highlighting financial mismanagement worth crores in Kalamassery.

The Principal Director of the Local Self-Government Department has been directed to submit an urgent report. The minister also stated that Vigilance inquiries are already underway in other local bodies where similar irregularities have been identified.

In Thrikkakara Municipality, Rs 7.50 crore is unaccounted for, while in Kalamassery, the missing amount is Rs 2.03 crore. Although cheques were received for these amounts in both cases, the money was never deposited into the respective accounts.

Similar financial mismanagement has been reported in several other local bodies as well. Though the audit department has recommended action in many cases, those recommendations often go unimplemented. With the scope of the investigation now expanding, irregularities involving hundreds of crores may come to light.

In Kalamassery:

• Equity share certificates worth Rs 49,62,613 were not produced
• Bitumen stock worth Rs 30,99,978 is missing from records
• 78 paramedical institutions are operating without registration
• No utilization certificate for Rs 20 lakh spent on the Saras fair
• Rs 1,51,920 misappropriated in the purchase of bio bins
• No rent register for municipal buildings; rent dues total Rs 18,55,467
• The use of private buildings was incorrectly recorded, resulting in losses amounting to crores.

In Thrikkakara:

• No documentation for Rs 81.38 lakh spent on waste management
• Rs 2.34 lakh sanctioned to purchase laptops for PHC, but no laptop was procured
• Irregularities worth Rs 35 lakh in the distribution of bio-composters
• Budget books printed at four times the actual cost (Rs 1,250 per copy instead of Rs 250)