||Black and White Digital News ||

||November 02,2024 ||

JAMMU : In alignment with Vigilance Awareness Week 2024, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) held an impactful dual-session programme at the Conference Hall, JLN Udyog Bhawan, Jammu. The sessions targeted the Rural Development and Social Welfare Departments, aiming to promote transparency, integrity, and anti-corruption measures within these critical sectors.

The programme, which was conducted both in person and virtually across several districts, including Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Poonch, Srinagar, Baramulla, and Ganderbal, featured a diverse array of stakeholders. These included public representatives, contractors, civil society members, and media personnel, demonstrating the commitment to rooting out corruption through a collective approach.

Morning Session: Rural Development Department:

The morning session, focused on the Rural Development Department, was graced by the presence of Shri Subash Chander Gupta, District & Sessions Judge (Retd), as Chief Guest, and Shri Shabir Ahmed Bhat, Director RDD Kashmir, as Guest of Honour. The event also saw special invitee Shri Arun Kumar Manhas, JKAS, Director of Industries & Commerce, Jammu, and high-ranking officers like Sh. Vikas Gupta, IPS, DIG ACB, and Sh. Sandeep Wazir, IPS, AIG ACB.

The session commenced with a documentary screening on corruption, produced by ACB, followed by the administration of integrity pledges to public servants and citizens. A detailed presentation led by Shri Rakesh Kumar JKPS, SSP ACB, shed light on various corruption complaints specific to the Rural Development Department, incorporating case studies to illustrate common issues. SSP ACB discussed operational loopholes and provided constructive suggestions to improve departmental practices and prevent fraud.

Further insights came from Shri Phulail Singh, ACD Kishtwar, who highlighted both strengths and shortcomings in the Rural Development Department’s schemes, advocating for the adoption of new technologies for enhanced transparency and efficiency. Feedback was also collected via a mobile app to gauge public awareness and gather suggestions for ACB’s anti-corruption initiatives.

Shri Subash Chander Gupta, in his address, emphasized the importance of integrity among civil servants, while Guest of Honour Shri Shabir Ahmad urged a system-wide commitment to honesty. Special Invitee Shri Arun Kumar Manhas encouraged prompt resolution of genuine grievances, promoting a culture of responsiveness in governance.

Afternoon Session: Social Welfare Department:

In the afternoon session, the focus shifted to the Social Welfare Department, with Chief Guest Shri Suneet Gupta, District & Sessions Judge (Retd), and Guest of Honour Shri Kishore Lal Sharma, Director of Social Welfare and Poshan Department. Shri Vinod Kumar Behnal, JKAS, Joint Director of Mission Poshan, Jammu, was a special invitee.

Ms. Tina Mahajan, CDPO, represented the department as the resource person, introducing various new schemes under the Poshan mission. Shri Rohit Gupta, CPO ACB, presented a detailed briefing on different social welfare schemes, highlighting how corruption infiltrates the system, supported by case studies.

Shri Suneet Gupta, Chief Guest, advocated for increased pension support for widows and destitutes, underscoring the need for enhanced financial aid for vulnerable groups. Guest of Honour Shri Kishore Lal Sharma underscored various welfare schemes, encouraging public participation in combatting corruption. The programme concluded with the sharing of ACB’s helpline and WhatsApp contact for reporting corruption, reaffirming the call for collective vigilance.

Both sessions underscored the role of public participation and proactive governance in addressing corruption within the Rural Development and Social Welfare Departments, reinforcing the commitment to transparency and accountability as central pillars of public administration.