The Chief Minister's Relief Fund is established to help the needy of the weaker sections. Unfortunately, Vigilance has detected widespread misappropriation of the relief fund. It was once common for the undeserving to extort government benefits in a variety of ways. Frauds have come down to an extent with the tightening of norms and the closing of several loopholes for irregularities. Yet, some people manage to find new ways to steal money from the treasury. This is done with the knowledge and protection of Collectorate officials and doctors. Agents are also there as middlemen.

There are clear criteria for granting benefits from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Assistance is given from the relief fund for the treatment of serious diseases like heart disease, and cancer and for serious health issues caused by accidents. The applicants should submit the treating doctor's certificate and other documents along with the application. It is required that the annual family income should not exceed two lakh rupees. The Collector is empowered to sanction up to Rs.10,000. The Revenue Special Secretary can sanction up to Rs 15,000. The Revenue Minister can sanction up to Rs 25,000. The Chief Minister has the authority to sanction up to Rs 3 lakh. It is the cabinet that should sanction a higher amount.

Almost all of the frauds detected by Vigilance at several revenue offices in the state are of the same nature. Fake doctor's certificates regarding treatment were found along with many applications. It was found that a doctor from Punalur had issued 1500 medical certificates. Agents are the main intermediaries in all cases. Officials have also received a portion of the sanctioned amount. Vigilance officials found incidents in Kollam, Kottayam and Alappuzha where money was extorted from the relief fund even n the name of dead people. The relief fund is also becoming one of the many ways through which money is getting leaked from government coffers. Some miscreants are carrying out such organized robberies at a time when several people, who are in dire straits due to poverty and hunger, are waiting for relief aid.

Innovative systems are in place to deliver any assistance from the government directly to the beneficiaries. It is for this purpose that bank accounts and Aadhaar cards have been made mandatory for everyone. These are the best options for preventing middlemen from stealing the assistance given to the poor. Strict inspection and monitoring are essential to eradicate the organized activities of extorting benefits using fake certificates. If people should benefit from the vigilance checks conducted to detect the scams related to the relief fund, those behind the scams should be brought to justice. It should also be ensured that there is no political interference.