BHUBNANESWAR: The BJD government was involved in widespread corruption throughout its 24-year tenure, asserted Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. Speaking at the inauguration of Vigilance Awareness Week at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, CM Majhi administered an integrity pledge to officials and launched a scathing critique of the former administration led by Naveen Patnaik, stating, “Corruption was rampant, with numerous officers involved. They will not be spared.”
Majhi emphasised that many officials engaged in significant corruption under the guise of the 5T initiative and promised that all would come under investigation. He reiterated the BJP government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, highlighting actions taken since assuming power in Odisha.
He reported that the Vigilance Department has been proactive, leading to the arrests of six chief engineers, a joint commissioner from the Excise Department, an assistant commissioner of CT&GST, a chief accounts officer from OSRTC, a deputy director of the Fisheries Department, a chief civil supplies officer, two tehsildars, two BDOs, a forest range officer, a jail superintendent, a doctor, and seven police officers on various charges, including disproportionate assets and bribery.
“This is just the beginning; the real fight against corruption is yet to come. No one will be exempt from scrutiny. Our government is resolutely committed to enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against corruption at all levels,” warned CM Majhi.
Vigilance Forensic Science Institute in Odisha Soon
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the establishment of a Vigilance Forensic Science Institute in Odisha to bolster the state’s anti-corruption efforts. He highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing the Vigilance Department through advancements in technology, infrastructure, and human resources.
To improve operational efficiency, the department will see the addition of eight new SP positions and 24 DSP positions, which are crucial for investigating and inspecting corruption cases. Furthermore, 16 sub-inspectors will be appointed to assist with investigations and research. To boost the department’s expertise, 24 chartered accountants and specialists in banking and cybersecurity will also be recruited. Additionally, 135 new motorcycles and 150 new desktops/laptops will be provided to enhance the mobility and effectiveness of the vigilance team.
The Chief Minister likened corruption to a terrifying disease, similar to diabetes. Its detrimental effects may not be immediately visible; rather, it gradually inflicts severe damage on individuals and society. Understanding the scale of corruption in Indian society is not rocket science. A former Prime Minister once stated at a public meeting that when he sent one rupee from Delhi, only 15 paise reached the intended beneficiaries. This raises the question: where did the remaining 85 paise go? He asserted that everyone knows the answer to this.
The Chief Minister further noted that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi first assumed office in 2014, he vocally opposed the prevailing corruption. The country was mired in numerous scandals and corrupt practices, causing disillusionment among the common people as they bore the burden of these issues.
Upon taking office in 2014, the Prime Minister launched a significant campaign against corruption from day one, a campaign that continues to this day. The substantial financial assistance reaching beneficiaries from Delhi today is entirely attributed to these efforts, thanks to the Prime Minister’s decisive action against corruption. The Prime Minister’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme is a vital tool in the fight against corruption.
Inspired by Modi’s leadership and vision, the state government has also adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption as a central objective of its governance, focusing on combating this issue.
