Kerala – Collectorates acted as the centre of CM Fund scam, reveals vigilance

Kerala. According to the latest reports, CM Relief Fund scam was held centred in collectorates. The Vigilance Department has started an investigation into the fraud, which was carried out by a group comprising officials, agents and doctors of the collectorates.

Following the instructions of the Chief Minister, the Vigilance Department has started an inspection to identify the culprits involved in the fraud. It is estimated that the scope of the fraud will increase with the completion of the field-level inspection and information collected from various offices. More than five thousand application files from various offices are under scrutiny.

Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham said that recommendations to make the management of the Chief Minister’s relief fund more secure will be given to the government as a report. He added that the fraud was revealed when two years of applications were examined, with most of them coming from Kollam district. Some applicants had called the Chief Minister’s Grievance Redressal Cell to inquire about their application, but those who were allowed money did not receive it.

After the vigilance department was instructed to investigate, it was found that the same doctors issued certificates in the applications received by the revenue department for assistance up to 25,000 rupees. The revenue minister then asked the chief minister to conduct an investigation.

The Vigilance Department will conduct a preliminary investigation if official nexus is revealed in the irregularities. A case will be filed if the officials’ role in the fraud is proven. Information is also being sought by visiting the homes of the applicants.

Courtesy

https://www.dailypioneer.com/2023/india/scam-in-kerala-cm-s-disaster-relief-fund-puts-cpm-in-a-fix.html

https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/swindling-of-cm-s-relief-funds-several-collectorates-turned-centres-for-fraudulence-1.8338650

https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2023/02/23/vigilance-raid-cmdrf-corruption-officials-doctors.html