Fri Jan 16 11:56:04 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Kerala Government Faces Scrutiny Over Corruption Lapses Following PAC Criticism

The Story:
The Kerala State government is under pressure to address corruption and misappropriation within its departments. Prompted by critical observations from the Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), the government has issued instructions for departments to initiate timely departmental and legal action against officials found responsible for financial irregularities. This directive follows the PAC’s expressed displeasure regarding delays in registering FIRs and taking disciplinary action in cases of theft, misappropriation, or loss of government funds.

The Finance department issued a circular on January 5, 2026, mandating immediate action in cases of financial misconduct. The circular emphasizes that departmental actions should not be stalled by ongoing Vigilance probes, addressing a past justification used by departments to avoid taking action. Action-taken reports are to be submitted to the PAC, and lapses will be viewed seriously.

Key Points:

  • The State government has issued instructions to its departments to initiate timely action against officials found responsible for theft, misappropriation, or loss of government funds.
  • The instructions follow critical observations by the PAC regarding delays in registering FIRs and taking departmental action.
  • A Finance department circular issued on January 5, 2026, directs government departments to ensure immediate action in cases of financial misconduct.
  • The circular clarifies that departmental action should not be delayed due to ongoing Vigilance probes.
  • Action-taken reports are to be submitted to the PAC, and lapses will be viewed seriously.
  • The PAC highlighted these lapses in its 69th report tabled in October 2024 and the 83rd report tabled in September 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kerala government is facing increased scrutiny over its handling of corruption cases.
  • The PAC is playing a crucial role in holding government departments accountable.
  • The government’s new directive aims to streamline the process of taking action against corrupt officials.
  • The emphasis on timely action and the removal of previous justifications for inaction suggest a renewed commitment to combating corruption.

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