Rampant irregularities detected at KCHR

# Priyan R S

It has emerged that the Director himself was involved in creation of fake government documents, illegal appointments and financial irregularities worth crores.

Thiruvananthapuram: Rampant irregularities pointing to corruption were detected at the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) headquartered here.

It has emerged that the Director himself was involved in creation of fake government documents, illegal appointments and financial irregularities worth crores.

It is alleged that Director had obtained the licence for Pattanam excavation after submitting fake documents at the Archaeological Survey of India.

Since its establishment in 2001, General Council has not been convened even once. The General Council should include four MLAs, three Municipal Chairmen, six Panchayat Presidents, one district panchayat president and six social scientists.

The Executive Council exists for namesake and it is not being convened as per the rules. The AG report has clearly pointed at the financial irregularities detected in the institution since 2007. The Director has made six foreign visits without the government's sanction.

Apart from this, building and land were brought without permission. The report also says that government money was deposited with different banks violating financial code and treasury code.

In addition to this, the institution which was functioning under the Cultural Department was later made under the Higher Education Department, allowing the Director to avail UGC pay scale while increasing the age threshold for his retirement.

In a grave violation of rules, Cheriyan still continue to hold the post despite passing 60 years of age. This is happening in the absence of any government order.