VACB drive across Kerala uncovers large-scale corruption over soil mining

T'puram: A statewide vigilance crackdown, titled ‘Operation Earth Guard', uncovered widespread irregularities and corruption in soil mining and removal across the state, with officials allegedly accepting bribes through digital payment channels. Acting on intelligence inputs about serious violations in the excavation and transport of ordinary earth, the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) conducted a surprise inspection on Monday morning. The inspection covered all 14 district mining and geology offices, select local self-govt institutions, a total of 72 offices, and 360 locations where illegal soil removal was suspected. The vigilance probe found that 14 officials across mining and geology departments and local bodies accepted a total of Rs 4,69,800 as bribes through UPI transactions from soil dealers and applicants. Field inspections revealed that in most locations, soil was removed far beyond the permitted quantity and area. In several cases, landowners obtained permits for building construction but failed to commence construction within the mandated one-year period, using the permits as a cover for large-scale excavation. The inspection also found that organized soil mafia groups were operating across the state, levelling hills and transporting soil under the guise of building and development permits. In some instances, land was converted into plots and sold after large-scale soil removal under the cover of house construction permits. Officials responsible for enforcement were found to have deliberately failed to act, allegedly under influence of bribes, resulting in significant losses to the state exchequer. In Thiruvananthapuram, a senior clerk in Cherunniyoor grama panchayat accepted Rs 34,600 via UPI from a soil operator, while a technical assistant in the same office received Rs 2,800. In Kollam, a mineral revenue inspector in the district mining and geology office accepted Rs 1,09,400, and an office attendant received Rs 12,500 through UPI transactions. In Pathanamthitta, a senior clerk in the district mining and geology office accepted Rs 22,000, while another senior clerk in Malayalappuzha grama panchayat received Rs 7,000 via Google Pay. In Alappuzha, a department driver in the mining and geology office accepted Rs 33,000 through UPI. In Ernakulam's Nellikuzhi grama panchayat, the secretary received Rs 19,500 and a senior clerk Rs 43,000 via Google Pay. In Palakkad, a geologist accepted Rs 1,55,500 from intermediaries through Google Pay. In Kozhikode, a senior clerk accepted Rs 2,500 via Google Pay. In Wayanad, an overseer in Sulthan Bathery municipality received Rs 8,000, while a driver in Meenangadi panchayat accepted Rs 15,000 from two individuals. In Kannur's Iritty municipality, a senior clerk accepted Rs 5,000 via UPI, and field verification at four sites in the district revealed large-scale hill cutting and soil removal without municipal or revenue permissions. The vigilance team directed officials to initiate legal proceedings and issue notices to landowners involved in violations. Penalties will be imposed at five times the royalty payable for the quantity of soil illegally removed. The agency said illegal soil mining and transport, which threaten the state's ecological balance, will face strict action, and added that further detailed investigations, including financial scrutiny of officials, intermediaries and soil mafia groups, will continue based on the findings of the operation. Vigilance director Manoj Abraham urged the public to report corruption through the toll-free number 1064, phone number 8592900900, or WhatsApp number 9447789100.
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