Bhubaneswar, Oct 28 (FN Representative) The Odisha government has implemented both top-down and bottom-up approaches to combat corruption, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced. “It is not enough to take action against just one or a few individuals for corruption,” Majhi said, emphasizing the need for a long-term campaign to instill fear of prison among the corrupt. “The corrupt must lose sleep over the consequences of their actions,” he added. Speaking at the State-Level Anti-Corruption Awareness Week – 2024 here on Monday, the Chief Minister asserted that corruption will not be tolerated at any level. “The anti-corruption campaign must be enduring so that it serves as a powerful deterrent to corrupt practices,” he said.
Majhi noted that corruption has deep-rooted itself in the state and cannot be eradicated in a day, a month, or even a year; it requires continuous effort and vigilance. Comparing corruption to diabetes, he said, “Like diabetes, corruption may not show its effects immediately, but over time, it causes severe damage to individuals and society.” Highlighting the pervasive nature of corruption in Indian society, he cited a former Prime Minister’s statement: “I sent one rupee from Delhi, and the beneficiary received only 15 paise.” Majhi questioned, “Where did the remaining 85 paise go? We all know the answer.” Majhi stated that the state government, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and vision, has made the fight against corruption a primary goal, adopting a zero-tolerance policy. Issuing a stern warning to the corrupt, the Chief Minister said, “Just as cancer must be surgically removed, corrupt individuals will be removed from society and sent to prison.”
He pointed out that within the first 140 days of his administration, six key officials were arrested for embezzlement, their assets were seized, and they were prosecuted. Majhi further mentioned that around 20 officials, including a chief engineer, have been arrested on corruption charges. He stressed that the anti-corruption fight has extended beyond public service buildings in the capital, Bhubaneswar, to the grassroots level. District officials are now empowered to take action against corruption within their jurisdictions, Majhi added. The Chief Minister highlighted that the Anti-Corruption Department’s conviction rate is over 50 percent, and the state government is taking steps to strengthen Odisha Vigilance by enhancing technology, infrastructure, and staffing. He announced that 8 new Additional SP positions and 24 new DSP positions will be created to support Vigilance investigations, monitoring, and prosecution. Additionally, 6 sub-inspectors will be recruited to assist with investigations. To bolster the department, 24 chartered accountants and banking and cyber experts will be added. The Vigilance team will also be equipped with 135 new motorcycles, 150 new desktops and laptops, and a new State Forensic Science Laboratory within the Directorate.
Majhi praised Prime Minister Modi’s stance against corruption since 2014, recalling how the country was riddled with corruption scandals, leaving the public disillusioned. Since then, the Prime Minister’s direct actions have ensured that aid from Delhi reaches beneficiaries without leakages, Majhi said. The Chief Minister described the Prime Minister’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) program as a “key weapon” against corruption. He added, “The corrupt have only two choices: prison or exile. And even abroad, they are not safe, as the government has made arrangements to bring them back and prosecute them under the law.” Majhi on the occasion, administered an integrity pledge to officials, urging everyone to take an oath to strongly oppose corruption steadfastly.