Odisha govt to launch toll free number to fight corruption

Bhubaneswar: Taking strong step to curb pc culture in various departments, Odisha government decided to launch toll free number to receive the grievances from public.

The Panchayatiraj department will be the first to introduce the toll free number for people, informed the Minister Pradeep Maharathy on Thursday.

Following the directive of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to fight corruption, the toll free number will be launched in the Panchayatiraj department very soon to receive the complaints lodged by people, Maharathy said.

He refuted allegations of pc culture in the block offices under Panchayatiraj department.

A three-member committee has been formed to check corruption in block level, informed Maharathy to media after CM Patnaik reviewed work progress of Panchayatiraj department yesterday.

The committee is taking strong action against the officials after sudden visit to different blocks and offices. Total 403 officers have been asked for explanation on allegation of corruption leveled against them so far. While 262 officers have been served the show-cause notice, 78 have been suspended from work, the Minister said.

He said that frequently he is visiting various blocks to check everything and pc culture in his department is yet to come into his notice.