Cuttack: In a spirited initiative that converges governance and community, the Government of Odisha launched the Vigilance Awareness Week, starting on Monday under the theme 'Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity.' The main ceremony, held at Bhubaneswar, saw Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi taking the helm as he administered an integrity pledge to a wide spectrum of the state’s populace, including public servants and citizens from all walks of life.
This year's observance is a clarion call to the citizens to act as vigilant custodians of democracy, empowering them to curb corruption, which has long stood as a stumbling block against development.
The event was broadcast live, ensuring that the pledge resonated not justin the halls of governance, but in the homes of the common man, with lakhs from diverse groups such as Self-Help Groups, ASHA, Anganwadi workers and students echoing the commitment to integrity.
A significant highlight of the week is the integration of technology in fostering transparency, accountability and participation. The Electronics & IT Department of the state facilitated a state-wide video conferencing session that connected all Collectorates and block offices, enabling government functionaries across the state to participate in the pledge ceremony.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, gracing the occasion as the guest of honour, emphasised, “The fight against corruption begins with the promise of integrity at all levels of governance and penetrates every stratum of society, manifesting a collective resistance against corruption.”In a bid to foster a robust anti-corruption ethos, the state has also organised a series of engaging and educative activities targeting the youth of the state.
Schools and colleges across the state are engaged with debates, quizzes and creative contests like cartooning, sloganwriting, painting and poster making, focusing on themes of anti-corruption. These competitions culminate at the district level, with winners recognised in district-level functions, thus nurturing a proactive anti-corruption stance from the grassroots. Moreover, the week features public meetings in every district headquarters, which will see a confluence of students, academics, both serving and retired government officials and civil society members.
These forums aim to create public awareness about the damages of corruption and encourage collective advocacy for transparency and accountability. Public rallies, walkathons and marathons will paint the streets of Odisha, symbolising a societal stride against corruption. In the rural scape, ‘Awareness Gram Sabhas’ is being organised, which are expected to engage local Self-Help Groups and Gram Panchayat members in dialogues aimed at fortifying the rural front against corrupt practices.
In addition to ground activities, a digital campaign spearheads the anti-corruption message via social media platforms, WhatsApp, emails and electronic and print media. A notable digital initiative is the circulation of bulk SMS messages featuring the Vigilance toll-free number 1064, encouraging the populace to report corrupt activities directly. The Odisha Vigilance website also hosts a facility for the online registration of corruption-related complaints, a move geared towards enhancing accessibility and responsiveness.
As Odisha Vigilance calls upon the people of the state to actively participate in Vigilance Awareness Week, it is a testament to the government’s resolution to not only fight corruption but to foster a culture of integrity that nurtures the prosperity of the nation.
This week may mark a pivotal shift in how corruption is combated—through the vigilant eyes of its citizens, thereby ensuring that the gears of democracy run smoother and the pillars of governance stand stronger.
Over 88 criminal cases registered by Vigilance sleuths in last four months
Determined to root out corruption, the anti-corruption wing of Odisha police under the Vigilance Directorate here has made substantial headway in its ongoing operations against government corruption, having registered a significant number of cases and securing high-profile convictions over the past four months.
Beginning from June 12 to October 26, this year, the vigilance sleuths have registered 88 criminal cases implicating 123 individuals, including top-ranking officials and private citizens, illustrating a widespread crackdown across various levels of governance. Among these, 26 cases of disproportionate assets involving 29 public servants and 17 private persons, unearthing assets worth Rs 77.28 crore, underline the magnitude of graft infiltrating the system.
The highlight of this crackdown includes the case of Pradeep Kumar Rath, an additional chief engineer with the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation (OBCC), who was found to possess assets disproportionate to known sources of income by a staggering Rs 10.37 crore. His ill-gotten wealth included multiple properties, plots, vehicles and holdings in gold and cash.
Similarly, former high-ranking officials such as Tara Prasad Mishra, a former chief engineer in Bhubaneswar, were found amassing Rs 7.27 crore in illegal wealth, showcasing a pattern of systematic corruption that the Directorate is aggressively targeting.
In addition to these Disproportionate Asset (DA) cases, the vigilance wing has actively pursued bribe-related offences, registering at least 45 trap cases during the same period. These cases involve public servants caught in the act of accepting bribes, with incidents spanning various districts, including Rayagada, Bolangir and Khordha. Notably, Bichitrananda Nayak, tahsildar of Chandrapur, was apprehended for demanding a substantial bribe from local villagers.
Misappropriation of public funds also featured prominently in the directorate’s efforts, with 17 cases being registered. This includes the case of Basanta Kumar Dash, a deputy director of fisheries, who siphoned off Rs 1.05 crore from government coffers to his account, highlighting the challenges of fiscal mismanagement within public offices.
The success of these efforts is reflected in the high rate of convictions and arrests made by the department. A total of 89 arrests were made, and 32 cases concluded with convictions, showcasing a robust legal process and the relentless pursuit of justice by the Directorate.
Moreover, the directorate’s activities extended beyond mere prosecutions. They executed 41 joint raids with local forest officials, seizing assets worth over Rs 1.66 crore, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to curbing not just corruption but also organised illegal activities.
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