Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 393 cases related to corruption/bribe have been registered against the Kerala government staff of various departments during the present tenure of the state government. The figures were furnished in the assembly by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in response to a query by Nenmara MLA K Babu.

The capital district, Thiruvananthapuram, leads in the highest number of cases registered against the government staff, 72, followed by Kozhikode with 56 cases. The least number of vigilance cases was reported in Kasaragod; six cases. In Thiruvananthapuram, government staff working with 17 departments were found involved in corruption cases.

Among departments, the local self-government department (LSGD) faces the highest number of bribe cases; 72. Revenue department officials come second in terms of cases registered for corruption; 51 cases.

In 2023, government records produced in the assembly showed that over 1000 government staff faced vigilance cases in Kerala. LSGD officials were involved in the highest number of vigilance cases as per the figures produced in 2023 also;154. Till 2023, 94 government staff were placed under suspension after being arraigned in corruption cases.

The figures related to corruption in government offices continue to surface even as the state government has embarked on various initiatives to bring transparency in file movement and speedy disposal of files. LSGD has conducted file adalats across local bodies to check the practice of corruption. In January, nine government officials were arrested by the Vigilance and anti-corruption bureau for accepting bribes as part of Operation 'Spot Trap'.

In 2023, the government issued a circular enlisting a set of directions to be followed against officials who are arrested in 'Spot trap' cases. It was directed that such officials shall be immediately placed under suspension and steps shall be taken for stringent action. In cases where officials are punished by the court, there shall not be any delay in dismissal from service, according to the circular. It was also stipulated that department heads shall take timely action and decision in giving sanction for prosecution against officials arranged in corruption cases.