Odisha’s Vigilance Became India’s Anti-Corruption Benchmark

Bhubaneswar:2/01/26:Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan today, highlighting the department’s proactive efforts in combating graft and ensuring accountability among public servants.

The meeting revealed that between April 1 and December 31, 2025, the state government directed the Vigilance Department to investigate 125 cases. Throughout 2025, the department disposed of a total of 488 cases, securing convictions in 108 of them.

Notably, it resolved a record 173 cases related to disproportionate assets, marking the highest ever in this category. These accomplishments have positioned Odisha as a national exemplar in anti-corruption measures, earning praise across India.

In recognition of its enhanced training and infrastructure, the Odisha State Vigilance Academy has been awarded the ISO 9001:2015 certification, valid for the next three years. Vigilance Director Yashwant Kumar Jethwa presented the ISO Certificate received by the State Vigilance Academy to CM Majhi today.

CM Majhi commended the academy and the department for this milestone, emphasising its role in building a skilled workforce to tackle corruption effectively.

The department’s enforcement actions were equally robust, with raids conducted at 487 locations in 2025. These operations led to significant seizures, including 153 buildings, 18.3 kilograms of gold, 417 plots of land, and 12 farmhouses. Additionally, 1,199 bank accounts linked to corrupt government employees were frozen, along with deposits worth Rs 36.69 crore and cash amounting to Rs 8.8 crore.

Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi stated, “The time has come to make Odisha completely corruption-free. We must set an example that deters government employees from corrupt practices.” He urged the Vigilance Department to sustain its campaign and advised on continued operations to achieve this goal.

Discussions during the meeting also focused on the department’s requirements, such as skill development, recruitment, and filling vacancies. The CM assured that appropriate decisions would be taken soon to strengthen these areas.

The review was attended by key officials, including Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary Surendra Kumar, Vigilance Director Yashwant Kumar Jethwa, Principal Secretary to CM Saswat Mishra, and Additional Director Vigilance Asit Panigrahi.

This intensified anti-corruption drive aligns with the government’s broader vision of transparent governance, promising a cleaner administrative framework for Odisha’s citizens.