Odisha CM directs for zero tolerance policy against graft

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of several media reports about bribery and PC in government offices, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today directed for strong implementation of zero tolerance policy against graft.

Chairing a meeting at state secretariat here today to discuss preventive measures to curb the corruption in various social welfare schemes, Patnaik said that his government will not tolerate corruption at any situation.

He suggested the administration to ensure poor people not to be deprived of their rights due to corruption.

Taking precautionary measure to set clean image of the government after it faced wrath from opposition over alleged massive irregularities in zilla parishad elections and panchayat polls in the past few months, Patnaik decided to pay special focus on various housing schemes, Niramaya Yojana and ICDS programmes. As per the decision made at the meeting, all the panchayat representatives, government officials in the blocks will be made aware of the consequence of corruption.

The committees comprising of vigilance officers will be formed in blocks, districts and state level to curb corruption in the government offices. The block and district committees will monitor the transparency in development and welfare programmes by making field visit if required. The committees will submit the report to the vigilance headquarters about execution of various welfare schemes by convening meetings on regular basis. After verifying the reports, the vigilance department will submit the report to the concerned departments.

Patnaik directed to constitute an Oversight Committee headed by Chief Secretary in state to monitor anti-graft programmes.

Sources said that the vigilance department has received 560 complaints so far in rural housing sector, 197 complaints have been verified and complaints have been registered in 38 cases. After the vigilance launched toll free numbers on July 20, total 289 complaints have been received so far.