BHUBANESWAR: The Government is firmly committed to root out corruption in all spheres, including delivery of basic public services and implementation of welfare and developmental schemes meant for the poor, backward and weaker sections of the society, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Addressing the State-level function of Vigilance Awareness Week here on Friday, the Chief Minister said transparent structures, processes and procedures have been put in place in various areas of functioning and the Government is also striving to strengthen preventive vigilance mechanism in various government agencies.
“Public awareness, education and involvement of community are crucial for taking effective and long term measures against corruption,” he added.Odisha Vigilance over the years has emerged as a leading anti-corruption agency in the country and is taking proactive steps to reach out to the people through use of digital media to facilitate lodging of complaints, Naveen added. He also asked the agency to intensify its public outreach and take prompt action on the complaints and grievances of the people.
The Vigilance Awareness Week that started on October 30 with the theme - ‘My Vision, Corruption Free India’, will continue till November 4. The event is being organised in every district.
Debates in Odia and English, essays and cartoons-cum-caption competitions on the theme were conducted in schools and colleges. During the event, Naveen handed over prizes to winners of the competitions.
The Chief Minister also handed over trophies to Vigilance officers for their performances as a unit and individually. Balasore Vigilance Division was awarded State’s best Vigilance division. While, Balangir Vigilance Unit was awarded State’s best Vigilance unit. Similarly, DSP of Baripada unit, Sanjay Kumar Dasmohapatra was awarded best Vigilance investigating officer while Bhubaneswar division Vigilance inspector, Anupama Mohapatra, was awarded best woman investigating officer.
Special Public Prosecutor, Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhawanipatna, Asutosh Mishra, was awarded State’s best public prosecutor.Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Kumar Patasani, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, were also present. The function was presided over by Director, Vigilance, Odisha, Dr Debasis Panigrahi.