Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to a corruption-free administration, asserting that Odisha’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption sends a strong message to dishonest officials and systems.
Speaking at the State-Level Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 at Lok Seva Bhawan, the Chief Minister said the observance was not a symbolic event but a reaffirmation of the government’s firm stand against corruption.
“When corruption infiltrates our system, it erodes public trust and weakens governance. Fighting corruption is not just a duty but a moral responsibility for all of us,” Majhi stated.
The Chief Minister highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, modern technology and the Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile (JAM) trinity have played a crucial role in eliminating middlemen and ensuring that government benefits reach the right beneficiaries transparently.
Majhi noted that since the formation of the current government, the State Vigilance Directorate has been granted autonomy to act independently, leading to firm action against corrupt individuals—irrespective of their rank or position. The directorate now boasts a conviction rate of over 50%, he said.
“No one, from Class IV employees to IAS officers, has been spared. The Vigilance Directorate will neither forgive nor protect anyone involved in corruption,” the Chief Minister asserted.
As part of the zero-tolerance approach, the government has dismissed 30 officials convicted of corruption and withheld pensions of 68 retired employees found guilty of similar offences. The Chief Minister emphasized that building a transparent, accountable, and people-centric administration remains the government’s top priority.
He also assured that all necessary resources would be provided to make the Vigilance Directorate more efficient, people-oriented, and robust.
During the ceremony, the Chief Minister administered an pledge of integrity to participants and presented awards to the best-performing vigilance divisions and officers, including the Cuttack Division (Best Division), Sonepur Unit (Best Unit), Manoranjana Paikaray (Best Male Investigating Officer), Pranita Ray (Best Female Investigating Officer), and Surendra Panda from Berhampur (Best Public Prosecutor).
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja commended the government’s strong stance against corruption, noting that the same determination that brought success in disaster management and combating left-wing extremism is now being channelled into strengthening transparency and accountability in governance.
Vigilance Director General Yeshwant Kumar Jethwa informed that the Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed across districts, blocks, and panchayats under the theme “Vigilance: Our Collective Responsibility.” He detailed the department’s recent actions against corruption taken between June 12 and October 27, 2025.
Additional DG Asit Kumar Panigrahi delivered the vote of thanks. The event was attended by senior officials, employees, and retired officers.
