T’puram: Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) seized Rs 44,000 in unaccounted cash during simultaneous surprise inspections at six sub-registrar offices in the district on Wednesday, following information that officials were allegedly collecting bribes through document writers for various services.The inspections were conducted at Pattom, Chalai, Thiruvallom, Sasthamangalam, Kazhakkoottam and Nemom sub-registrar offices as part of Project Zero, an initiative launched by the bureau to identify and prevent corruption in govt offices.The inspections were carried out on the directions of vigilance director Manoj Abraham, as part of proactive vigilance operations aimed at detecting corruption in govt service delivery.At Chalai sub-registrar office, the vigilance team recovered Rs 35,310 allegedly kept inside registers in the record room. The team also seized Rs 5,000 from a vendor found at the office who could not provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing the cash. Vigilance suspects the money may have been brought for payment to officials.At Sasthamangalam sub-registrar office, Rs 3,130 in unaccounted cash was recovered from the record room. Another Rs 700 was seized from the record room of Pattom sub-registrar office.The bureau said the inspections were based on information received regarding alleged bribe collection through document writers for various services at sub-registrar offices. The cash recovered during the inspections is being examined as part of the vigilance proceedings.Officials are expected to examine the circumstances under which the unaccounted money was kept in the record rooms and whether it was linked to any illegal payments.Abraham urged public to come forward and report any demand for bribes or other corrupt practices in govt offices.
