Bhubaneswar, Oct 30 : Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday appealed to the people of Odisha to renew their resolve to fight against corruption and usher in a corruption-free and a new empowered Odisha.
Addressing a state-level function on the Observance of Vigilance Awareness Week-2023 which is being observed from October 30 to November 5, Patnaik congratulated Odisha Vigilance as it comes among the top performing anti-corruption agencies in the country as revealed by the latest statistics from the National Crime Record Bureau.
He also expressed happiness that during last year, Odisha vigilance continued detecting disproportionate assets against senior public functionaries.
The Chief Minister urged the Vigilance Department to take steps for infusion of technology and expansion of the multi-disciplinary character by roping in more professionals with domain expertise to aid effective detection of benami transactions, money laundering, corruption through digital transactions, investments in newer financial instruments like crypto-currencies.
The observance of Vigilance Awareness Week commenced in Odisha with administration of integrity pledge by Naveen.
In a unique way, the integrity pledge was administered by Patnaik through Odisha State wide Network (OSWAN) to all district and block headquarters officials and through live telecast by the Information & Public Relations Department.
The members of the public, students of schools and colleges, members of self-help groups, panchayats, Asha Karmies and AWWs took pledge on the occasion.
This mass pledge is expected to further strengthen the extent of awareness on a corruption-free society at every level, Naveen said.
This year theme is “ say no to corruption, commit to the Nation”
On the occasion Computer based investigation and prosecution management system and Vigilance Division office new buildings at Balasore and Rourkela was inaugurated by the Chief Minister through Video Conferencing.
Official sources said this year till date, Odisha Vigilance has registered 201 cases against 364 persons including 38 Group-A officers and 37 Group-B officers. Chargesheets have been filed in 198 cases against 486 persons including 42 Group-A and 31 Group-B officers.
About 87 cases have ended in conviction against 115 accused persons. 27 public servants have been dismissed from service and pension of 14 retired Public Servants stopped following their conviction in vigilance cases.
Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Director, Vigilance Y.K. Jethwa and Chairman 5T & Nabin Odisha VK Pandian besides senior officers of the state were present on the occasion.
