424 public servants convicted, 145 dismissed in last 5 years: CM

OST Bureau

Bhubaneswar, Oct 31:

As many as 424 public servants have been convicted by the Vigilance Courts and 145 public servants have been dismissed from the service on grounds of corruption during last five years, the chief minister Naveen Patnaik stated while addressing an official function in the city on the occasion of the Vigilance Awareness Week-2013 on Thursday.

Patnaik said the Vigilance department’s proactive action has encouraged people to lodge complaints against corrupt public servants. As a result, the department has been able to register 402 criminal cases last year and launch prosecution against 705 public servants, he added.

“I am happy to learn that the conviction percentage in Vigilance cases has reached a record 58 percent this year, which is much better than previous years,” said Patnaik, adding, “Odisha is the first State in the country to enact the Special Courts Act towards achieving its goal to check corruption.”

Vigilance director KB Singh said increased transparency, competition, and leveraging of technology has led to a decline in corruption. “Let us join together and work untiringly for eradication of corruption in all spheres of the life and provide transparent and efficient administration,” said the newly appointed Vigilance chief.

Among others, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Kumar Patsani, Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra, CVOs of different departments and retired senior officers  attended the official function.