THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major crackdown on corruption within the Public Distribution System (PDS), the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau conducted simultaneous raids across Kerala under ‘Operation Bhakshya Suraksha’. This state-wide operation exposed large-scale irregularities, leading to the seizure of unaccounted cash and the catching of several officials red-handed. The raids targeted 14 National Food Security Act (NFSA) warehouses and 54 retail ration shops across the state. In a carefully planned sting operation, vigilance officials disguised themselves as construction workers to purchase grain directly from retail shops, catching four licensees completely off guard. Systematic fraud and financial irregularities: Investigations revealed stock discrepancies in 11 major warehouses and 25 ration shops. Additionally, the agency uncovered suspicious financial transactions totaling ₹18,22,000 involving a network of middlemen, supply contractors, and retail licensees. The investigation revealed a highly organized modus operandi:
Fictitious Billing: Supply tracking systems indicated that while many consumers never received or claimed their allocated quotas, fake bills were generated in their names. The grain was subsequently diverted to the open market and sold at inflated prices.
Logistical Lapses: Vehicles used for the doorstep delivery of ration supplies were found operating without mandatory GPS tracking systems, resulting in unmonitored transportation. Details of district-wise violations: The vigilance team recorded instances of serious lapses and corruption across several districts:
Thiruvananthapuram: At a retail shop in Nettarakonam, officials found evidence that the licensee was receiving payments via Google Pay from poultry farm and bakery owners in exchange for diverting subsidized goods. In Bonacaud, undercover officials caught a licensee illegally selling rice. A significant stock deficit was also recorded at a shop in Vellanad.
Kollam: A ration dealer in Eravipuram allegedly received ₹2,97,000 via Google Pay as proceeds from the sale of smuggled grain. Major stock shortages were found at the Kadakkal NFSA warehouse and at retail shops in Pulimukku, Manjappara, and Udayanchira.
Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha: A licensee was arrested after selling subsidized rice to undercover agents. Irregularities were detected at the Adoor Parakkode warehouse and at shops in Pazhakulam, Enathu, and Athikkayam. In Kuttanad (Alappuzha), a junior assistant at the NFSA warehouse was caught accepting a bribe of ₹6,750 from local ration dealers.
Kottayam and Idukki: Stock shortages were found at the Kanjirappally warehouse and retail shops in Velloor. In Idukki, operators in Vazhithala and Nediyasala sold rice directly to vigilance officials posing as customers, exposing a major case of stock manipulation in Peermade and Vengalloor.
Ernakulam and Thrissur: A stock shortage was detected at a retail outlet in Kalamassery. At the Kolangattukara warehouse in Thrissur, two junior assistants were found accepting bribes of ₹25,000 and ₹42,000 from a transport contractor; a massive shortage of 7,000 kg of grain was discovered at the warehouse. In Varavoor, a shop owner was caught accepting ₹23,900 from a local hotelier.
Palakkad: A senior assistant at the Maruthur warehouse was found accepting bribes totaling ₹12 lakh from grain traders and over ₹2 lakh from a retail dealer in Koppam. Stock discrepancies were also detected in Thenkurissi and Kalingalpalam.
Malappuram and Wayanad: A rationing inspector was caught pocketing ₹25,500 at the Pariyapuram warehouse. Irregularities were also found at the Nilambur warehouse and at shops in Amminikkad and Vengara. In Wayanad, 21 illegally withheld ration cards were seized from a shop in Kavumanam, and a significant stock shortage was found at the Mananthavady warehouse.
Kannur: An inspection of the Iritty Peruvamba warehouse revealed a massive shortage of 11,960 kg of flour (wheat flour). Conversely, inspectors found an unexplained surplus stock of 3,500 kg of rice and 1,500 kg of wheat on the premises. A detailed report on these findings will be submitted to the government to facilitate immediate disciplinary and legal action against the officials and license holders involved in the irregularities.
