Bhubaneswar, Jan 2: The Odisha government has directed the vigilance department to investigate 125 corruption cases reported between April and December 2025, marking one of the largest anti-corruption drives in recent years, officials said on Friday.

The decision was taken during a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption. On this occasion, the Director of Vigilance presented to the Chief Minister the ISO Certificate awarded to the State Vigilance Academy.

Officials said the move reflects the administration’s determination to build a corruption-free Odisha. “The state government has never assigned such a large number of cases for vigilance probes in a comparable period,” the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated.

CM Majhi emphasised that the initiative aims to set an example for government employees to refrain from corrupt practices.

The vigilance department registered 202 criminal cases in 2025 and arrested 212 government employees. It also filed 49 disproportionate assets (DA) cases, unearthing property worth Rs120 crore. Among the seizures were 153 buildings, 18.3 kg of gold, 714 plots, 12 farmhouses, deposits worth Rs36.69 crore, and cash amounting to Rs8.81 crore.

Officials added that the department disposed of 488 cases after investigation and secured convictions in 108 cases during the year. The Chief Minister instructed vigilance officers to expedite pending investigations and ensure that cases are pursued to their logical conclusion.

The government believes that the intensified vigilance drive will not only deter corruption but also strengthen public trust in governance. By combining strict enforcement with systemic reforms, the administration aims to safeguard public resources and uphold accountability across departments.