Vigilance Commissioner, KT Sukhalu said “corruption is the biggest evil in our society”, which has become all-pervasive and growing to worrying proportions in all spheres of social, political, economic and even religious activity.
Delivering the key note address on the occasion of at Vigilance Awareness Week 2015 at the State Academy Hall, Kohima on Monday, Sukhalu pointed out that the most worrisome trend was people accepting corruption as an unavoidable way of life rather than fighting the menace. “This passive behaviour encourages and promotes the increasing growth of corruption”, he added.
Sukhalu informed that the total number of cases under investigation by the Vigilance Commission from October 2014 to October 2015 was 66- 45 preliminary enquiries and 21 regular cases.
He also apprised that the Commission had finalized 24 cases, whereby the services of four government employees were terminated, 13 officials given administrative warning/censure and seven convicted/penalized. A sum of Rs.65,000 was imposed as fine and Rs. 13,46,656 was recovered during the period.
Sukhalu urged upon all departments to utilize the IT&C tools for greater transparency, accountability, efficiency and good governance. In compliance with the directive issued by the ministry of IT, the state IT&C department had notified all departments to migrate to the national standard for e-procurement & e-tendering. However, he said out of 25 departments, 19 gave their written consent and only five departments have implemented eProcurement & eTendering.
He also encouraged the youth to avail information through technology and to stand up against those who perpetuate corruption.
Sukhalu stressed on the need for proactive participation and involvement of citizens so that the government provides clean and efficient governance. He said “the more the corruption, the slower the economic growth”.
For good governance, he said public leaders, bureaucrats and officials should be answerable to the citizens. Government functioning must be transparent, with every file and official record open for public scrutiny, except matters regarding national security, he added.
Later, the Vigilance commissioner also administered the pledge on the occasion. The governor and chief minister’s speech were read out by Addl. SP, Opolumi Humtsoe and Dy. SP Vikono Peseyie.
An inter-college debate competition on the topic “preventive vigilance as a tool of good governance” was also held wherein the judges were– Sr.SP (V&AC) K Shiwoto Wotsa, ADC Kohima, Lithrongla Tongpi and SDPO, DEF Kohima, Atu Zumvu.
Ten colleges from Kohima district participated in the debate competition where Eangchi Konyak from Kohima College won the first position with cash award of Rs. 5,000, Jeangei P Konyak from Japfu Christian College and Taduiwangbe Nriame from Mountain View College won the second prizes with Rs. 3,000 and Krosu Hiesuh from Sazolie College won the third position with Rs. 2,000. Consolation prizes were also given to the participants.
The moderator of the debate competition was Dy SP, B Phongtau Phom.
Vote of thanks was delivered by secretary Vigilance Commission, Sehjang Doungel and the programme chaired by director and DIGP, I Meyionen.
The gathering was also enthralled through “we must stand together” by SI, P Hewoto Swu and SI, Pezulebpet.