Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja has issued a strong directive to implement “preventive vigilance” measures across all government departments, calling for zero tolerance towards corruption and the exclusion of officials with questionable integrity from critical roles.
The call to action came via an official letter dated September 11, 2025, addressed to top bureaucrats including Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Revenue Divisional Commissioners, District Collectors, and the Director General of Vigilance.
Beyond Punishment: A Shift to Preventive Action
While acknowledging the need for punitive steps, Ahuja emphasized that punishment alone is not enough. To effectively curb corruption, he urged all departments to focus on systemic root causes, drawing on legal, administrative, economic, and social strategies, along with public awareness initiatives.
“Departments must go beyond reactive measures. They must proactively design systems that prevent corruption before it starts,” Ahuja stated.
The directive is seen as a response to several recent high-profile vigilance cases and corruption arrests in the state, which have highlighted gaps in internal oversight.
Key Measures Ordered
The Chief Secretary’s letter outlines a broad and detailed action plan:
- Internal Vigilance Committees (IVCs)
- Each department must form an Internal Vigilance Committee to identify vulnerable areas prone to corruption.
- Short- and long-term action plans are to be prepared and monitored.
Human Resource Reforms
- Introduce transparent HR practices, including mandatory staff rotation and online transfers.
- Officials with doubtful integrity must be excluded from sensitive posts.
Technology-Driven Governance
Scale up adoption of digital tools like e-procurement, e-tendering, work passbooks, digital HR systems, and Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to reduce human interface and discretion.
Citizen-Centric Accountability
- Display service delivery timelines in all government offices under the Odisha Right to Public Services (ORTPS) Act.
- Use public dashboards, feedback mechanisms, and compliance monitoring systems to promote transparency.
Rooted in Santhanam Committee Principles
Ahuja’s directive draws inspiration from the Santhanam Committee recommendations on anti-corruption strategies, which advocate preventive vigilance over reactive measures. The committee had flagged risks such as:
Excessive discretionary power in service delivery
- Monopolistic systems and lack of competition
- Weak grievance redress mechanisms
- Low public awareness about citizens’ rights
- The Chief Secretary urged departments to study these risk zones and reform procedures accordingly.
Part of Broader Anti-Corruption Drive
The preventive vigilance push aligns with the Odisha government’s recent crackdown on corruption, which has seen multiple arrests of government officials in bribery and misconduct cases. These arrests, carried out by the state’s Vigilance Department, reflect a growing effort to cleanse the bureaucracy.
Ahuja’s move is being seen as an attempt to institutionalize accountability, reduce discretion, and build public trust in government systems.
Also Read: Manoj Ahuja, The Administrator Who Connects Ground Realities With Big Ideas
