Vigilance unearths irregularities in sports councils in Keralam

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has detected widespread financial irregularities, suspected corruption and administrative lapses in the Kerala State Sports Council and district sports councils in the State during a Statewide surprise inspection codenamed ‘Operation Kalikkalam’.

The inspection unearthed irregularities ranging from the diversion of funds to procurement without following tender procedures to the selection of ineligible athletes for State championships and the receipt of payments from contractors through digital payment platforms.

Among the major findings were the diversion of ₹1.30 crore from security deposits collected by the Kozhikode District Sports Council, irregularities in purchases worth over ₹14 lakh in Alappuzha, missing sports equipment and five laptops at the State Sports Council headquarters, and instances of officials receiving payments from athletes and contractors through UPI transactions.