Graft: Corp pulls up retd officials

Kochi: Based on a probe by the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB), the Kochi corporation has started acting against three retired health supervisors involved in irregularities related to operating tipper lorries for waste removal.

A lightning inspection carried out by the vigilance in the corporation 10 years ago revealed widespread irregularities in renting tipper lorries for waste removal to Brahmapuram. In 2015, the VACB director submitted a report to the local body, demanding action against the health supervisors.

The accused health supervisors retired from the corporation in 2014, 2016 and 2017. Based on the vigilance report, a temporary decision was made in 2021 to deduct Rs 500 each per month from pension of each of them and a show-cause notice was issued.

Based on their responses, the local body found lapses on the part of the employees. Subsequently, a detailed investigation was carried out against them. Ernakulam district joint director for local self-govt was tasked with submitting a report within 15 days.

"We will be taking stringent action against corrupt officials. We have also asked VACB to carry out a detailed probe into certain incidents in which a few officials were found to be involved in corrupt practices," a top source with the corporation said.

Recently, a corporation building inspector was arrested by vigilance for accepting a bribe for building permit approval. The vigilance team raided the corporation's Vyttila zonal office and seized numerous documents.

Some officials and retired officials have been under vigilance surveillance for several months. Efforts have begun to gather evidence to bring them within the scope of the investigation.