The government on Wednesday unveiled the revised Vigilance Manual, which introduces sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening the State’s anti-corruption framework, modernising investigative procedures, and enhancing transparency and accountability in public administration.
The revised manual, the first comprehensive overhaul since 2002, was released by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala here as part of the Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau’s (VACB) Project Zero anti-corruption campaign.
Among the key procedural changes, officers investigating bribery cases against government employees will be required to file charge sheets within six months, thereby reducing the existing time limit of one year. The revised manual also stipulates that preliminary inquiries into complaints received by the VACB should be completed within three months, while full investigations should be concluded within six months.
The manual also proposes organisational reforms aimed at strengthening institutional integrity and preventing corruption within the force. Police personnel seeking deputation to the VACB will be selected through a special examination. The deputation period for personnel from the rank of Civil Police Officer to Inspector has been fixed at five years. The norm will replace the existing system under which no fixed tenure existed.
The government is also considering providing vigilance officers with uniforms. During investigation, officers will wear specially designed jacket uniforms modelled on those used by central security forces.
In order to strengthen investigation into corruption and illicit wealth accumulation, the VACB will be given direct access to the government’s SPARK payroll portal containing salary details of government employees and the Registration department’s online land transaction portal. An integrated online system will be established to facilitate such inspections and enable the effective detection of disproportionate assets and benami property transactions.
It is also proposed to develop a mobile application through which the public can submit corruption complaints and monitor the progress of their cases. Besides, the requirement for prior government approval to continue investigation against officials who are found culpable during preliminary inquiries will be relaxed.
Addressing the gathering, the Home Minister said the updated manual was bound to strengthen the fight against corruption by equipping the VACB with modern investigative tools and procedures suited to the changing nature of corruption in the digital era. He added that the manual introduced new guidelines for detecting irregularities in financial transactions, including digital payments.
Kerala Lok Ayukta N. Anil Kumar presided over the function. Transport Minister C.P. John, Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Vigilance) Minhaj Alam, and VACB Director Manoj Abraham were among those who spoke on the occasion.
Published – July 08, 2026 06:17 pm IST
