Bhubaneswar: A total of 827 government officials in Odisha have been arrested in the last five years by the Vigilance Department for involvement in various corruption cases, as informed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in the State Assembly on Monday.
In a written statement, CM Majhi stated that 436 government employees have been convicted in various cases during this period.
Currently, trials are ongoing in 1,311 cases where chargesheets have already been filed by the Vigilance Department.
The Chief Minister informed that these arrested officials worked in different departments, including Works, Panchayati Raj, Revenue, Rural Development, Home, Health and Family Welfare, School and Mass Education, and Higher Education, across various districts in the state.
He shared this information in response to a question from BJP MLA Agasti Behera of Chhendipada.
In his statement, CM Majhi also emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting clean governance and preventing corruption. He confirmed that the state government follows a strict “zero tolerance” policy against corruption.
To strengthen the state’s anti-corruption efforts, the government has created 48 new posts in the Vigilance Department.
These include 8 Additional Superintendents of Police (Addl. S.P), 24 Deputy Superintendents of Police (Dy. S.P), 16 Sub-Inspectors, and 75 Assistant Sub-Inspectors. Additionally, 24 posts for Finance, Banking, and Cyber Experts have been approved.
A proposal has also been made to set up a separate forensic science laboratory at the Vigilance Directorate in Cuttack.
Moreover, the state government has approved the purchase of 100 two-wheelers for the Vigilance Division to help with undercover data collection and is proposing the addition of 38 more four-wheelers.
Additionally, 150 desktops and laptops have been provided to the department.
CM Majhi reassured the public that the state Vigilance Department is fully committed to taking strict actions against corrupt officials through these measures.
For public awareness, the State Anti-Corruption Enforcement Department has made the Toll-Free No (1064) available from 8 am to 8 pm. This number is displayed in government offices across the state.
Senior officers from the Anti-Corruption Department, along with experts from the State Vigilance Academy in Bhubaneswar, are providing training to Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) of various government departments on Preventive Vigilance.
Every year, under the guidance of the Central Vigilance Commission, an Anti-Corruption Awareness Week is observed.
During this week, documentary films, TV commercials, and awareness messages are widely shared through the media, cinema halls, and TV channels. SMS messages with the toll-free number are also sent to mobile users to spread awareness about preventing corruption.
