Kerala Government Dismisses Senior PWD Engineer Over Massive Financial Irregularities
The Kerala state government has taken decisive action by dismissing a senior Public Works Department (PWD) engineer following a comprehensive investigation that revealed the misappropriation of crores in public funds. Former Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) executive engineer Jija Bai P T has been officially removed from service through an order issued on March 24, 2024.
Unauthorised Withdrawals and Missing Records
The dismissal order explicitly states that Bai "misused her official position" to carry out unauthorised withdrawals totaling an astonishing Rs 4,42,15,679. These findings emerged from a meticulous vigilance probe that uncovered a disturbing pattern of large cash withdrawals, incomplete financial records, and significant unexplained gaps in official accounts.
A particularly alarming discovery was the systematic use of cash cheques issued in the name of a temporary employee. Substantial amounts were withdrawn through this questionable method, but investigators found that "the utilisation of the withdrawn amounts could not be established" due to the complete absence of supporting documents or utilisation certificates.
Serious Financial Discrepancies Uncovered
The probe revealed "serious discrepancies between the cash book and bank statements" with differences running into multiple crores of rupees. Financial documentation, including essential records like cash books and cheque registers, were either improperly maintained or not updated at all, creating a chaotic financial environment ripe for exploitation.
Compounding these irregularities, the order notes that Bai failed to hand over critical financial documents during her charge transfer to a succeeding officer. "Cheque books, cheque memo registers and related records were not handed over", making it virtually impossible to track transactions and maintain financial accountability.
Violations of Financial Protocols
The government further observed that funds were withdrawn "without clear sanction orders or formal approvals", pointing to fundamental violations in how public money was handled and processed. This complete disregard for established financial protocols created an environment where substantial sums could be moved without proper oversight or documentation.
The impact of these financial irregularities extended beyond mere accounting discrepancies to affect actual infrastructure projects. Funds specifically allocated for critical infrastructure activities—including utility shifting and land acquisition—were withdrawn but never remitted to designated agencies like KSEB and KWA, directly hampering project execution and development work.
Extensive Investigation Findings
A detailed inquiry into transactions occurring between 2021 and January 2024 uncovered that Rs 4,85,52,228 was withdrawn through cheques issued exclusively in the name of the temporary staffer. Even more concerning, "these amounts were not recorded in the cash book" at all, creating a parallel financial system completely detached from official records.
Investigators confirmed that the ultimate destination and purpose of these substantial funds could not be traced despite extensive examination of available documentation and financial trails.
Defense Rejected and Past Record Considered
The government firmly rejected Bai's explanation, which cited excessive workload and staff shortages as contributing factors. The order observes that this defense failed to address the core issues and that no credible evidence was produced to justify the questionable withdrawals. Officials characterized her response as largely "an attempt to deny the transactions" rather than provide legitimate explanations.
The case also took into account Bai's problematic professional history. The dismissal order notes that she had previously faced disciplinary action in cases involving financial irregularities, including periods of suspension and various penalties for similar misconduct.
Due Process Followed Before Dismissal
Despite being issued a formal show-cause notice and granted two separate opportunities for personal hearing, Bai did not appear before authorities to present her case. Notices were even published publicly to ensure proper notification, yet no substantive reply was ever received. The government consequently concluded that she had "no explanation to offer" for her actions.
After thorough examination of all evidence, authorities determined that the charges against Bai were "proved beyond doubt" and that her actions had caused "huge financial loss to the government and erosion of public trust" in official institutions.
Jija Bai P T has been formally dismissed from service with effect from February 17, 2024—the exact date of her initial suspension—marking the culmination of a serious case of financial misconduct within Kerala's public works administration.
