A major controversy has emerged in Kerala's Wayanad district after an internal inquiry reportedly uncovered financial irregularities in the implementation of the Van Dhan Vikas Yojana (VDVY), a tribal livelihood development scheme. The probe allegedly found that nearly Rs 50 lakh meant for tribal welfare was diverted through unauthorized transactions between 2021 and 2023, raising serious questions about the management of funds under the program.

According to the inquiry findings, funds allocated to eight Van Dhan Vikas Kendras operating under the Kudumbashree District Mission were allegedly transferred to three employees through various channels, including bank transactions and digital payment platforms. The report claimed that the individuals received approximately Rs 50 lakh that had originally been earmarked for the welfare and development of tribal communities participating in the scheme.

Investigators reportedly discovered multiple procedural violations during the review. Some panchayats where financial irregularities were identified, including Thondernad and Muppainad, allegedly did not have functioning Van Dhan Vikas centers despite receiving funds. The inquiry also found that mandatory records were not properly maintained, while several bills, vouchers, and supporting expenditure documents could not be traced during verification.

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The report further alleged that funds were transferred to Van Dhan Vikas coordinator Harish and special project coordinator Sai Krishna based on instructions from Jayesh, who was serving as the Kudumbashree district mission program manager during the period under review. While forest produce was reportedly collected and marketed through the scheme, investigators claimed that only a limited portion of the revenue generated was credited back to the accounts of the respective Van Dhan centers.

Following the inquiry, the three employees named in the findings have reportedly been removed from service. The report also noted that Jayesh is associated with the CPI(M) as secretary of the party's Kalpetta Civil Station branch, while Harish is said to be a branch committee member at Kalluvayal. The alleged political links have added to the scrutiny surrounding the case, although no court has yet established criminal liability.

The Van Dhan Vikas Yojana is designed to improve the livelihoods of tribal communities by supporting the collection, value addition, and marketing of forest produce. The inquiry has raised concerns that tribal beneficiaries could face difficulties or become entangled in administrative issues due to the alleged misuse of funds by officials. Authorities are expected to examine the findings further as demands grow for accountability and corrective action in the handling of welfare resources.

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