In a bold move to reinforce transparency and accountability, Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja has issued a strong directive to all government departments and district collectors to take decisive steps against corruption.
The directive emphasizes strengthening administrative mechanisms and implementing proactive vigilance strategies.
In a letter addressed to senior officials including Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioners, Revenue Officers, and the Director General of the Vigilance Department, Ahuja reiterated the state government’s commitment to a clean, transparent, and citizen-centric administration.
The directive follows recent corruption cases identified by the Vigilance Department, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and systemic reforms. Ahuja stressed that punitive action alone is insufficient; instead, the root causes of corruption must be addressed through administrative, legal, social, economic, and educational interventions.
Departments have been urged to identify sensitive areas and take preventive measures before issues arise, in line with recommendations from the Santhanam Committee. Key focus areas include procurement and contract management, human resource operations, service delivery, public grievance redressal, and business facilitation under the “Ease of Doing Business” initiative.
Technology-driven reforms such as e-procurement, e-tendering, online transfers, and citizen feedback platforms like “Ama Shasan” and dashboards under the Odisha Public Service Act, 2012, are being promoted to reduce discretionary powers and enhance transparency.
The Chief Secretary also directed the formation of internal vigilance committees to prepare short- and long-term action plans. Officials with questionable integrity are to be removed from sensitive positions, and digital platforms like DBT, WAMIS, and Work Passbook are to be optimized for better monitoring and public empowerment.
Ahuja concluded that these reforms are essential to establishing a zero-tolerance culture against corruption and building a truly citizen-centric government.
