Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 / Odisha Vigilance Emerging as a National Model in Anti-Corruption Efforts, Says CM Mohan Majhi

Bhubaneswar, Oct 27: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday reaffirmed the Odisha government's zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, stating that governance is no longer being run from "ivory towers" and that the administration is directly engaging with citizens to identify and address corrupt practices at the grassroots level, officials said.

Addressing the State-Level Vigilance Awareness Week-2026 programme at Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre, the Chief Minister administered the Integrity Pledge and highlighted the government's efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability and good governance.

Warning Against Corruption

CM Majhi said the State government's public grievance hearing programme has emerged as an important tool to curb corruption at the grassroots. Through regular grievance hearings, citizens are able to directly bring instances of corruption to the notice of Ministers and the Chief Minister, enabling timely action, he said.

Describing the Vigilance Department as the "eyes and ears" of good governance, the Chief Minister said governance is not limited to policy formulation but also requires ensuring that public funds reach intended beneficiaries without leakages or corruption.

Zero-Tolerance Policy

The Chief Minister said the government has adopted a three-pronged strategy against corruption: a zero-tolerance approach, intelligence-based action against offenders irrespective of rank or tenure, and ensuring conviction in corruption-related cases.

Highlighting the government's anti-corruption drive, CM Majhi said Odisha Vigilance has initiated action against several senior officials over the past two-and-a-half years, including an IAS officer, eight Chief Engineer-rank officers, two Divisional Forest Officers, Joint Commissioners in the Excise and State Transport Authority departments, three Deputy Directors of Mines, five Tahsildars, four Block Development Officers and several other government officials.

He said 41 government employees have been dismissed from service after being convicted in corruption cases, while pensions of 91 retired employees have been stopped following punitive action.

Improved Conviction Rate

The Chief Minister noted that Odisha Vigilance has emerged as one of the country's leading anti-corruption agencies by maintaining a high conviction rate. While the conviction rate stood at 50% in 2025, it has increased to 65% till September 2026, the highest recorded so far.

According to him, the achievement has earned recognition for Odisha Vigilance both within and outside the State.

Technology-Driven Vigilance

Emphasising the importance of technology in combating corruption, CM Majhi credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) framework for reducing leakages and ensuring that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.

He said the State government has approved the Odisha IT Policy to promote the use of technology in anti-corruption efforts. A Preventive Vigilance Research Wing is also being established within Odisha Vigilance to identify corruption-prone areas and improve transparency in governance.

The Chief Minister said technology-driven monitoring and preventive vigilance would help make the administration more transparent, accountable and citizen-centric.

Call for Integrity

Referring to the Vigilance Awareness Week theme, "Prosperity through Integrity", CM Majhi said strong ethics, transparency and honesty remain the most effective weapons in the fight against corruption. He urged government employees to uphold integrity in public service and adopt ethical conduct as a way of life.

Awards Presented

During the programme, the Chief Minister presented awards for excellence in vigilance administration. Koraput Division was adjudged the Best Vigilance Division for 2025, while Angul Unit received the award for Best Unit.
Also Read: Odisha Vigilance Busts Rs65.90-Lakh Fraud in Dhenkanal DFO Office, 3 Arrested

Malkangiri Vigilance DSP Sadananda Pani was honoured as the Best Investigating Officer, Bhubaneswar Division's Baibhabmala Swain as the Best Woman Investigating Officer, and Salil Kumar Pradhan of the Bhubaneswar Vigilance Special Judge Court as the Best Public Prosecutor.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg stressed the importance of integrity in implementing government schemes and ensuring that benefits reach the last beneficiary. Vigilance Director Yashwant Kumar Jethwa highlighted the department's achievements and reiterated its commitment to implementing the government's zero-tolerance policy against corruption.