VACB searches 41 dist education offices

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) launched a state-wide search in 41 district education offices and the directorate of general education to unearth reported irregularities and corruption.
VACB sleuths are conducting a search, titled 'Operation Jyothi-2', based on the information it received regarding irregularities in teacher/non-teaching staff appointments, regularization of such appointments, clearing grants sought by managements, fixing salaries, granting leaves, sanctioning loans, creation of posts etc.
VACB was collecting information on the illegal nexus between officials in these offices and several school managements. As per the information received by VACB, there is widespread corruption and irregularities in the appointments of teachers in aided schools since 2018 and several school managements have taken a lot of money from job seekers while appointing them in non-existing vacancies.
At the same time, some officials - who demanded bribes -deliberately delayed clearance orders for the posts that the government had already granted to some schools. Some of them also gave preference to applications of aided schoolteachers who had paid bribes when the latter were seeking annual increments, increment arrear, dearness allowance arrear.
VACB had conducted 'Operation Jyothi' in June last year as it is during these initial months of the academic year that several malpractices and corruption are rampant.
All vigilance units across the state are participating in the raids that are being headed by IG (vigilance) Harshitha Attalluri. Vigilance director and ADGP Manoj Abraham requested the public to inform about any malpractices, corruption or irregularities that come to their notice on the vigilance toll-free number 1064 or by dialling the number 8592900900 or messaging on WhatsApp number 9447789100.