Bhubaneswar, 13th Sept 2025: Merely punishing the corrupt will not stop corruption — recent cases identified by the Anti-Corruption Department highlight the need for proactive and sustained attention in this area. Therefore, it is essential to identify the root causes of corruption and take strong measures through administrative, legal, social, economic, and educational interventions to eliminate it from the system.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja has written to all Departmental Secretaries, the Director General of Vigilance, RDCs, and District Collectors, instructing them accordingly.
In his letter, the Chief Secretary emphasized that preventing corruption requires strengthening administrative systems and implementing preventive vigilance. The State Government is committed to a clean, transparent, and citizen-centric administration, and in this regard, departments should act on the Santanam Committee recommendations.
Each department must identify vulnerable areas and take preemptive steps before corruption occurs. Through preventive awareness, stricter regulation, control over discretionary powers, and improvements in service delivery, key issues like:
monopoly in services,
weak grievance redressal mechanisms,
lack of transparency in inquiry systems, and
absence of public awareness
can be effectively addressed.
To reduce discretionary powers in procurement and contract management, the use of e-procurement, e-tendering, and third-party certification must be adopted. Departments, Vigilance DGs, and Collectors have been directed to adopt these practices.
The use of internal vigilance committees and online transfer policies is encouraged, as these reduce human interference and ensure transparency. Departments that have implemented online tendering across all stages have seen a significant drop in favoritism-related complaints. This model should be followed in other departments as well.
In human resource management, emphasis should be placed on transparent online transfer systems. Sequential transfers of employees in sensitive posts help discourage unethical practices. Some departments are already running such systems fairly and transparently, which others should emulate.
The Chief Secretary has instructed all departments and district collectors to take strict action against corruption. Formation of internal vigilance committees to identify sensitive areas and prepare short-term and long-term action plans has also been advised.
Efforts to improve Ease of Doing Business, WAMIS (Works and Accounts Management Information System), e-tendering, e-procurement, work pass books, DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), and online HR management systems using technology-driven reforms must be implemented and further strengthened.
In addition, sequential transfer of employees, fair and transparent online systems, and integrity-based work culture are to be promoted. Officers suspected of corruption or misconduct should be kept away from sensitive posts, ensuring transparent and effective human resource management.