Vigilance unearths corruption, irregularities in implementation of DDU-GKY scheme in Kerala

In surprise inspections conducted State-wide, under the code name Operation Skill Guard, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has detected widespread corruption as well as serious irregularities in the implementation of the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) scheme in the State.

Preliminary investigations pointed to rampant corruption and irregularities indulged in by the project implementing agencies, in collusion with officials.

The surprise inspections were carried out on Monday from 10.30 a.m. onwards at 62 locations, including 47 selected project-implementing agencies, the State Project Office responsible for DDU-GKY, and 14 district implementation offices.

Serious lapses

The Vigilance had received information that there were serious lapses and fraud in the execution of the scheme, including fake claims about trainee admissions even though they were not imparted any training, and producing fake salary certificates and forged bank statements to falsely show that the trainees had secured employment.

The Vigilance also had information on the misappropriation of project funds by implementing agencies, in collusion with district-level and State-level officials who were responsible for verification and monitoring.

Projects were being approved without even verifying availability of basic infrastructure at training centres. Some implementing agencies were forging records to claim money for training people. Some trainees had not participated in any training.

The clause that implementing agencies should mandatorily have three years’ experience was being observed more in the breach.

The Vigilance also found that funds were collected fully without ensuring that the trainees had found placements. Project funds were utilised to pay salaries to staff who did not have any connection with the project.

Verification through telephonic contact with trainees revealed that many had not received their post-placement allowances whereas in some cases, agencies had used forged records to claim post placement allowance.

Several agencies had also failed to renew mandatory bank guarantees required for project execution. Despite this, funds were released even to agencies that had not properly recorded placement details in the online portal.

In some cases, agencies collected one or two instalments of project funds and abandoned training midway.

The Vigilance has also given out the details of specific irregularities it found in districts.

Detailed probe

It has recommended detailed investigation into the irregularities and corruption in the implementation of the scheme and said that follow-up inspections will be conducted in the coming days.

The Director of Vigilance, Manoj Abraham, said in a statement that a detailed scrutiny of bank account statements of the implementing agencies, staff, trainees, and concerned officials was in order and that all project-related files would be re-examined. He also requested the public to share any information they may have on corruption related to the scheme through the Vigilance’s toll-free number 1064 or the phone number: 85929 00900 or on WhatsApp number 9447789100.