THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Although the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) is actively conducting surprise inspections and trap operations across the state, corruption at the administrative level continues to be on the rise. This year, VACB registered about 120 cases, including illegal acquisition of property. In 2021, there were 82 cases reported, while in 2020, there were 79. More than 500 surprise inspections and 44 trap operations have been conducted this year. Vigilance has decided to increase the number of trap operations using complainants to trap bribe takers.

Vigilance has decided to intensify surprise inspections in the Motor Vehicle Department, Local Bodies, Scheduled Caste Development Offices, Education Department and Revenue Offices. Vigilance monitoring will be strengthened in all departments. Corrupt officials will be kept under regular surveillance. Vigilance investigation should be completed within six months of receiving the complaint. Trap cases using the exchange of currencies to catch bribe-takers should also be completed within six months. The time limit for preliminary investigation is three months and the time limit for secret investigation and surprise inspections is one month. Investigations in other cases, including illegal acquisition of property, should be completed within 12 months. Around 2000 cases against officers are pending in Vigilance. The charge sheets in these cases will be issued within 6 months.

700 complaints per month
Vigilance receives nearly 700 complaints every month. Earlier, it used to get only 40-50 complaints. Most of the complaints contain information to trap bribe takers. Vigilance has received 5279 complaints till June this year.

Revenue Dept is ahead in corruption cases

Revenue--------------23

Panchayat-------9

Health---------7

Local self-government --------------7

Urban Affairs------6

Police-----------4

Registration---4

Survey-------------3