Operation Parpidam: Kerala Anti-Corruption Bureau Uncovers Widespread Bribery in Municipal Construction Approvals
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) in Kerala has uncovered a widespread bribery racket in the state's municipal construction sector, named Operation Parpidam. The operation targeted systemic corruption in building permit approvals, zoning violation overlooking, false floor area reporting, and regularisation of illegal constructions, which compromise public safety and defraud the government of tax revenue.
The VACB conducted inspections across six Municipal Corporations, 30 municipalities, and 24 grama panchayats. Investigators found that corrupt officials and intermediaries have significantly increased construction costs for ordinary families, who often struggle with bureaucratic red tape and financial constraints to build affordable homes. In contrast, lawbreakers—including commercial builders—could bribe officials to bypass building violations, such as legitimising unauthorised extra floors, under-reporting floor area to reduce taxes, ignoring mandatory setbacks for fire safety, and converting parking spaces for commercial use.
Manoj Abraham, Director General of VACB, stated that the operation revealed substantial financial kickbacks, including regular digital payments amounting to lakhs of rupees to officials and intermediaries. Indictments are expected under the Prevention of Corruption Act against at least 30 officials, including municipal secretaries and so-called building consultancy services that facilitate bribes involving engineers, architects, contractors, and builders.
One investigator detailed that in Kunnumkulam municipality, Thrissur district, an official received ₹21,50,000 through digital transfers over the past year from contractors and agents. In Kochi, a building inspector at the Fort Kochi Zonal Office accepted ₹12,69,000 in bribes for permits and regularisation. Similarly, officials in Neyyattinkara (₹1,37,000) and Varkala (₹2,03,000) municipalities were found to have taken bribes from contractors.
The VACB also exposed procedural violations in issuing occupancy certificates, building numbers, assessing building tax, and regularising unauthorised constructions. Corrupt officials issued residential building numbers for commercial properties to evade taxes and granted occupancy certificates for illegal structures. Delays in acting against unlawful constructions in densely populated urban areas were another major avenue for corruption.
Operation Parpidam highlights the systemic nature of municipal corruption in Kerala's construction sector, affecting public safety and the state's revenue. The VACB continues its investigation, promising further actions to curb these illegal practices.
