VACB Conducts Statewide Raids Over Alleged Irregularities in DDU-GKY Scheme

Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) on Monday carried out statewide raids in connection with alleged large-scale irregularities in the implementation of the DDU-GKY scheme in Kerala.

Officials said surprise inspections were launched at 62 locations across the state under an operation code-named “Operation Skill Guard”. The raids covered 47 project implementing agencies, the DDU-GKY state implementation office in Thiruvananthapuram, and 14 district-level implementation offices.

The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a skill development programme of the Union Ministry of Rural Development aimed at providing recognised training to rural youth to help them secure employment. Projects are executed through approved implementing agencies.

According to VACB officials, preliminary information suggested that some agencies had misused funds by claiming admissions without conducting proper training. It is also alleged that fake salary certificates and bank statements were submitted to show that trainees had secured jobs after completing the courses.

There are further allegations that certain officials at the district and state implementation offices, who are responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance, may have colluded in the irregularities.

The vigilance agency is also examining claims that funds were released to agencies that did not meet required standards, projects were sanctioned without verifying basic infrastructure at training centres, and in some cases, agencies falsely showed their own staff as trainees to divert funds.

Based on these inputs, the VACB initiated the coordinated inspections across the state. Officials said further action would depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.