THIRUVANANTHAPURAM A state-level investigation into illegal soil mining and transport operations in Kerala has found that 14 officials across departments allegedly accepted bribes totaling $4.69 lakh through UPI transactions from soil contractors and applicants.
The inspections, conducted under the “Earth Guard Operation” conducted on April 20, included all 14 provincial mining and geology offices, 72 offices in selected local self-government institutions and 360 sites reported for suspected violations, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.
Based on intelligence inputs about large-scale violations, the Vigilance Department conducted surprise inspections and found serious violations, including removal of soil beyond permissible limits and misuse of building permits for illegal excavations.
In many cases, landowners obtained building permits and removed large amounts of soil, but failed to begin construction within the prescribed one-year period.
In some cases, the lands were later changed hands and sold as sites after extensive soil clearing.
The investigation also indicated the involvement of organized groups engaged in illegal soil extraction and transportation under the guise of development and construction licenses.
According to Vigilance, officials in mining and geology departments and local bodies failed to take action against violations, allegedly accepting bribes or following undue influence, resulting in significant loss of government revenue through royalties and penalties.
Region-wide inspections revealed multiple cases of officials receiving bribes through digital payment platforms.
“In a surprise statewide inspection, the Vigilance found that 14 officials from various mining and geology administration offices and local self-government institutions had accepted bribes amounting to $“4,69,800 soil contractors and applicants, exclusively through UPI transactions in their accounts,” it said.
The statement added that the Ministry directed the competent authorities to take legal measures against those involved.
Notices will be issued to landowners, and fines of up to five times the applicable royalties will be imposed based on the amount of soil illegally removed.
Vigilance officials warned that illegal soil mining poses a serious threat to the state’s ecological balance and said further investigations, including field verification and scrutiny of the financial transactions of those involved, will continue.
Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham urged the public to report corruption through toll-free number 1064 and other official helplines, the statement added.
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