Operation Parpidam Raid — Local bodies awash with bribe-takers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was found that local body officials were taking lakhs in bribes for allowing building permits. Vigilance's 'Operation Parpidam' raid revealed the details of 30 officials who had accepted bribes. They had received Rs 45 lakh from private consultancies, engineers, architects, contractors and others.

Contractors and licensees sent Rs 21.5 lakh to the Kunnakulam Municipal Secretary's account in a year. Two assistant engineers, an overseer and a building inspector of the Fort Kochi zonal office received Rs 12.69 lakh from contractors.

Raids were conducted in 6 corporations, 30 municipalities and 24 panchayats. The operation is ongoing.

The overseer of Neyyattinkara municipality took a bribe of Rs 1.37 lakh and the temporary overseer of Varkala took a bribe of Rs 2.03 lakh. Rs 45,000 was seized from the vehicle of the Nedumangad municipality surveyor.

The first-class overseer at the Kazhakoottam zonal office took a bribe of Rs 5,000. The contractor's account received Rs 67,000. Illegal buildings and a bar were allowed for boat services in Poovar panchayat by taking bribes.

A UAC number was given to a resort without a license in Ajanur Panchayat, Kasaragod. Turf was arranged illegally in Paravur Municipality. UAC numbers were given to 262 buildings constructed illegally in Pallivasal Panchayat. The amount of money received for these transactions is being investigated.

Corruption across Kerala

• A sweeper in Ambalavayal Panchayat, Wayanad, received Rs. 2.8 lakh from a contractor

• An office attendant in Kollam Corporation received Rs. 5,000

• A clerk in Kayamkulam Municipality received Rs. 31,000 and an overseer received Rs. 3,000

• A contractor gave Rs. 5,000 to a clerk in Elappara Panchayat, Idukki.

• A junior superintendent in Palluruthy Zonal Office received Rs. 21,000 and an overseer received Rs. 16,500

• An assistant engineer in Fort Kochi Zonal Office received Rs. 4.92 lakh

• The assistant Engineer received Rs 5,03,000, overseer Rs 2.17 lakh, inspector Rs 5,000 each

• In Malappuram Municipal Office, 2 overseers received Rs 24,000, clerk Rs 13,500 each

• In Kozhikode Corporation, an Assistant Engineer received Rs 20,000 from a licensee

• In Sultan Bathery Municipality, the Assistant Engineer received Rs 1.16 lakh from the contractor