THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Lightning inspection by Vigilance to detect irregularities in the functioning of Akshaya Centers in the state. Vigilance team simultaneously conducted inspections at selected Akshaya centres under Operation E-Seva.

Vigilance had received confidential information that irregularities were taking place in some Akshaya Centers against government guidelines regarding functioning and fees. Lighting raids were conducted in around 130 Akshaya Centers according to this information. Some centres were exploiting the public by charging exorbitant fees for services. The order to issue a computer generated receipt for the purchase fee was also not being followed. The suggestion to keep a cash book for each day's financial transactions was also not being implemented properly. There was also a failure to maintain a register for the public to write complaints. Akshaya Centers without physical conditions prescribed by the government are also functioning.

The tendency of District Akshaya Project Officers, who are responsible for checking and ensuring the functioning of the Akshaya Center and taking action in cases of irregularities, to take bribes from the operators and be complicit in corruption and irregularities also exists. The vigilance also informed that Akshaya Center operators have been acting as intermediaries for some village officers, sub-registrars, motor vehicle department officials and other corrupt officials.