Irregularities Found In Grameen Kaushalya Yojana; Vigilance Conducts Inspections

Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has detected large-scale corruption and serious irregularities in the implementation of the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) in Kerala.

The findings came during surprise inspections carried out at 62 centres across the state under the code name “Operation Skill Guard”. The inspections exposed financial irregularities running into crores of rupees.

According to Vigilance officials, several project implementing agencies recorded admissions without actually providing training. In many cases, fake salary certificates and fabricated bank statements were created to show that trainees had secured jobs after completing the courses.

The agency also found indications that certain officials at the district and state levels may have colluded with implementing agencies in carrying out the irregularities.

In Malappuram district, Vigilance officials found that an agency had rented the owner’s own building for the project and was claiming an excessive monthly rent of up to 10 lakh rupees. The irregularity was detected during the inspection.

Investigators further found that funds were released to agencies that lacked even basic infrastructure. In some instances, employees of the agencies were shown as trainees to claim funds fraudulently.

The 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. The scheme is funded in the ratio of 60 percent by the Centre and 40 percent by the state. The recent inspections covered 47 project implementing agencies, the state-level office and 14 district offices.

The Vigilance Director said inspections will continue in the coming days and further action will be taken based on detailed findings.