**Bhubaneswar:** While gracing the State Level Vigilance Awareness Week function, Odisha Chief Minister extolled the remarkable rise in conviction rate as Odisha Vigilance has recorded 51 percent conviction in vigilance cases in the first ten months of 2018, which is 4 percent higher than the rate of conviction during 2016 and 2017.
Briefing media on the special occasion here today, Odisha Vigilance Director Dr Debasis Panigrahi listed out the Achievements of State Vigilance in 2018.
According to him, “118 accused persons were convicted during the period. The percentage of conviction in respect of cases disposed of after trial by the Courts comes to 51%. Thus, conviction rate has increased by 4% as against 47% in 2016 and 2017. This has been possible due to quality investigation and effective prosecution of Vigilance cases.”
It has also been noted, “During the period, 23 public servants were dismissed from Government service following their conviction in Vigilance cases, which included two Class I officers, one Class II officer, 19 Class III employees and one Class IV employee.”
On the number of arrests in 2018, the State Vigilance Headquarters stated, “During this period, 197 persons were arrested, which included 22 Class I officers, 16 Class II officers, 141 Class III employees, 9 Class IV employees, 5 other public servants and 4 private persons.”
So far the achievements in submission of charge sheets is concerned, the State Vigilance during the period has recorded 95.23%.
It has further been noted, “The highest ever total assets seized in a single disproportionate assets (DA) case amounting to approximately Rs 7 crores was registered this year. 4 numbers of interception cases intercepting Government officials while travelling, carrying huge unaccounted cash and other valuables were registered.”
Notably, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the State Vigilance was also recast following introduction of Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 whch came into force since 26th July, 2018.
“During the year 2018 till 31.10. 2018, State Vigilance has registered 287 criminal cases against 413 persons including 37 Class I officers, 33 Class II officers, 238 Class III employees, 12 Class IV employees, 29 other public servants and 64 private persons. Out of 287 cases registered, 55 cases were instituted for acquisition of DA against 57 public servants and 23 private persons. The total disproportionate assets in all the 55 cases has been calculated as 57.26 crores. Similarly, 148 trap cases were instituted during the period against 155 public servants and 2 private persons for demand and acceptance of bribe amounting to Rs 12.71 lakhs,” the press note stated.
It also stated, “During this period, 84 misappropriation cases relating to misappropriation of public money against 176 persons, including 137 public servants and 39 persons, involving misappropriation of public funds amounting to about Rs 8.20 crores have been registered. Misappropriation cases have been registered against 15 Class I officers, Class II officers, 89 Class III wmployees, 22 other public servants and 39 private persons.”
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