Haryana Chief Secretary highlights the crucial role of CVOs in anti-corruption efforts
CS instructs the CVOs to prepare a comprehensive plan outlining five key issues within their departments that need to be addressed to ensure transparency
Commendable efforts of CVOs in monitoring corruption and ensuring transparency will be reflected in their ACRs- Dr TVSN Prasad
Chandigarh September 20: Haryana Chief Secretary, Dr. TVSN Prasad emphasized the crucial role of Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) in combating corruption across government departments. He instructed the CVOs to prepare a comprehensive plan outlining five key issues within their departments that need to be addressed to ensure transparency. This plan should be submitted to the State Government within two weeks.
Dr Prasad was presiding over the meeting of all Chief Vigilance Officers of the Departments here today.
The CVOs regularly submit their reports and recommendations to the Chief Secretary and the Special Secretary of the Vigilance Department, ensuring that senior officials are kept informed about vigilance matters. This allows for timely interventions and corrective actions, further reinforcing the state's commitment to clean governance.
While underlining the significance of creating an environment where Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) can operate more freely and efficiently, the Chief Secretary assured that staff needs would be met as necessary. He also highlighted that the commendable efforts of CVOs in monitoring corruption and ensuring transparency would be reflected in their Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs). For this, a new column would be added in the ACR Performa. This initiative aims to foster greater dedication and commitment in their roles.
The Chief Secretary emphasized the role of CVOs in ensuring that departments uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability. He said that their vigilant efforts protect public trust and strengthen the governance framework. The ultimate goal of CVOs is to promote a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability within government operations. Also, they are responsible for eliminating or minimizing corruption by identifying loopholes in organizational practices and suggesting improvements to reduce corruption risks, he added.
Dr. TVSN Prasad reiterated that CVOs are pivotal to the government's anti-corruption strategy, stating, "Their dedication and expertise are essential in maintaining the integrity of our institutions. By addressing corruption at its roots, CVOs help build a more transparent and accountable administration, aligned with the expectations of the public."
The Special Secretary, Vigilance Department, Dr Priyanka Soni gave a detailed presentation on the quarterly progress report of various departments from respective CVOs. She informed that the CVOs are entrusted with both preventive and punitive vigilance duties, functioning as special assistants to the Administrative Secretaries or Heads of Departments on vigilance-related matters. Their primary objective is to ensure that no corrupt practices hinder the functioning of government departments.
She informed that in their preventive vigilance capacity, CVOs actively identify potential corruption risks within the organization. They gather intelligence on corruption activities, educate stakeholders, and work closely with departmental officers to address vulnerable areas. She said that the CVOs are also responsible for punitive vigilance, where they conduct thorough investigations into corruption complaints. Once these investigations are complete, they report their findings to the disciplinary authorities to ensure that appropriate actions are taken against those involved in corrupt practices, she added.
The Principal Secretary of the Human Resources Department, Sh. Vijayendra Kumar, highlighted the importance of further strengthening and empowering Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) to enhance their ability to perform their duties with greater diligence and efficiency. He also underscored the necessity of identifying areas prone to corruption and maintaining a vigilant watch over individuals frequenting government offices.
ADGP Smt. Mamta Singh, urged CVOs to thoroughly study the procurement manual and conduct rules to enhance their efficiency. She also emphasized the importance of maximizing the use of IT to ensure transparency in works.
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Every Vote Strengthens Democracy: Haryana Chief Electoral Officer
Every Vote Increases Voting Percentage
Election Commission Aims to Enhance Voter Turnout from Last Assembly Elections
Voting is Duty and Right of Every Citizen
Chandigarh, September 20 – Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Pankaj Agarwal said that the Election Commission of India, along with the Chief Electoral Officer's office, has implemented special measures to increase the voting percentage in the 15th Haryana Legislative Assembly General Election on October 5, compared to the last election. Voters are being encouraged to cast their votes through various SVEEP activities, including slogan writing, painting, street plays, and poster making.
Election Conversations in Chaupals Expected to Increase Voting Percentage
The Chief Electoral Officer further said that the voters of Haryana are politically aware. In both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the voting percentage here has consistently been higher than other states. In the last Assembly elections, the voter turnout was 68.31 percent. To further increase participation this time, it is the duty and right of every citizen, along with the Commission, to take part in the "Festival of Democracy - Pride of the State" during the Haryana Assembly Elections 2024 by casting their valuable vote, as every vote contributes to a higher turnout.
Mr. Agarwal further said that a team of senior officials from the Election Commission of India recently visited Haryana to review preparations for the Assembly elections. The team asked the officials to focus on increasing the voting percentage as much as possible.
The voters of Haryana are already politically aware, having discussions about the elections actively in ‘Chaupals’ and at ‘Khat-Mudhas’. Therefore, there is no reason why the voting percentage cannot increase in Haryana, he added.
He said that yesterday the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officers, Superintendents of Police and other officers and employees involved in the election process including the Chief Electoral Officer's office have assured the Election Commission officials that effort shall be made to increase the voting percentage by 5 percent as compared to the last Assembly elections. Every vote cast by the citizens is not just a mark on a finger but a new ray of hope for a strong democracy, said Mr. Agarwal.
He said that aware voters turn the activities run under the SVEEP initiative into a campaign to increase voter turnout and play an important role in enhancing participation. To increase the voting percentage in the Assembly General Elections, all districts in the state are actively engaged in promoting voting awareness campaigns, with significant participation from educational institutions and various departments. Besides, mehndi and painting competitions organized by students from schools and colleges, rallies are being taken out in villages to encourage voters to increase participation in the elections. These efforts are playing an important role in raising voter awareness.
SVEEP Campaigns Highlight the Vital Importance of Every Vote
Mr. Agarwal said that the administration is actively and effectively fulfilling its responsibility on social media platforms to promote voter awareness and encourage participation in the electoral process. The significance of each vote is being communicated to voters through various SVEEP campaigns. The citizens of the state should participate enthusiastically in the great festival of democracy on voting day i.e October 5.
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Haryana Chief Secretary, Dr. TVSN Prasad releasing a book titled “Echoes of Faith – Tales of Explorations, Nature and Divinity’ at Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector-10, Chandigarh on September 20, 2024. Author of the book namely Novel Lavasa and Ashok Lavasa and Additional Chief Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Dr. Sumita Misra are also seen in the picture.