By Sanjeev Kumar Patro
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi Friday displayed the political will to launch a crackdown on corruption in Odisha. In no uncertain terms, the CM put his message across to all heads of the district administration on zero tolerance to corruption. He asked the District Collectors to not shy away from taking stern actions against corrupt officials.
Speaking at the 2-day maiden meet of District Collectors, the CM said there is no question of compromise with corruption. He added, “This can be a clear a message as possible from me.”
“In my three-month tenure, I have come across charges of large scale irregularities taken place during the tenure of the previous BJD govt. The cases of wrongdoings have come to my knowledge during my tours to districts, or from people attending grievance cell, from MLAs., MPs, mainstream and social media. I am not saying all allegations of wrongdoings are 100 percent true. But you (District Collectors) need to consider and probe the facts before hand, and take the correct course of action. The State government has vested this power on you (DCs),” said CM Majhi.
The tone and tenor of the State Chief Minister’s address to District Collectors suggest of no vindictive crackdown, but a logical probe to bring the wrongdoers to book.
HARD ON GRAFT
After assuming power in the State, the first Majhi-led BJP government has signalled the new govt’s stance towards corruption at high places. The vigilance raid on high ranking officials has shown a spike in the State.
Answering to a question in State Assembly, CM Mohan Majhi informed that when the total jackpot of disproportionate assets (DA) seized by the Odisha Vigilance from August 2023 to Aug 2024 has been Rs 115.75 cr, of which a high of Rs 49 cr DA was seized between June 12 and August 25 (in just 2 months).
The State Vigilance swoops over 39 government officials in disproportionate assets case during the last two months alone. State Vigilance action on high ranking officials have increased during the last two months , the CM replied.
TOP ON RADAR
- Odisha Vigilance raided former Chief Engineer of Roads Tara Prasad Mishra (seized 1.5kg gold ornaments, Rs 2.7cr bank deposits) on August 12
- On August 26, , vigilance officials raided properties of Dharanidhar Nayak, deputy director of mines in Talcher, seized assets, including Rs 1.30 cr flat in Bhubaneswar, a duplex, a market complex, and two buildings in Keonjhar.
- In the same month, Odisha vigilance arrested Jayashree Pattnaik, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) in Kutra, Sundargarh, after caught her red-handed accepting bribe.
GRAFT TREND
- Disproportionate Assets Cases in Odisha touched a historic high to 85 in 2023 and 2022.
- DA cases launched on 39 officials in just 80 days in 2024.
- DA seizures in 2020 was Rs 4cr
- It went up 300% to touch 124 crore in 2023.
- It was whopping Rs 49.35 cr in 60 days in 2024.
- Vigilance claims 66% conviction rate in DA cases in 2023.
- In early to mid 2000, trap cases were bread and butter for Odisha vigilance
- After pandemic, DA cases are the cream and butter for the State Vigilance.
- Conviction of Class –I officers increased in 2023
- In 2024, Vigilance heat was on super Class-I officers.
