Chandigarh, December 9: While intensifying his efforts towards eradicating corruption at all levels from Government offices and employees and provide a transparent and graft free governance in the State, Haryana Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal today announced to set an anti-corruption cell in the Chief Minister Office (CMO) and make it mandatory for all members of raiding teams of all departments to carry body cameras during raids. For the first time in the history of the state, a state level function was organised on the occasion of International Anti Corruption day at Panchkula today.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Manohar Lal said that every member of the raiding team has to keep the mandatory body camera on a working-mode as they conduct raids in future be it Police Department, Excise and Taxation department, Mining department, transport department or any other department. He said that the raiding officer will have to ensure that the body camera remains in a working mode as they raid any government, private property shop, house or on roads.
He also launched a whatsapp number 94178-91064 for general public to report about incident of corruption. Apart from this any video or audio clip related to the incident sent by the complainant will be investigated by the anti-corruption cell in the Chief Minister Office (CMO) immediately. A helpline number 1064 which would remain operational round the clock was also launched. Apart from this, complaints could also be lodged at toll free number 1800 180 2022. The complainant can also send their complaint on svb@hry.nic.in. Those using Twitter could send their complaints directly on cmohry Twitter handle. The Chief Minister said that any complainant who would submit three correct complaints in a year would be awarded. Thereafter, the concerned complainant would also be informed about the action taken on his complaint by the CM office. Such complainant would have the choice either to take award at a public function or at his home.
Mr Manohar Lal said that during the last five years, the present State Government has taken several initiatives for providing a transparent and graft free governance in the State. On December 25, 2014 on the occasion of Governance Day, the system of e-stamping and e-registry were started in the tehsils of the state to end corruption there. In the same manner, in November 2016, he delegated the power for clearing files related to Change of Land Use (CLU) to Director of the Department which earlier was kept illegally by with the Chief Minister office for past 25 years.
He said earlier, there was also discretion in the case of nomination of HCS officers from the Group C posts, recently, 17 HCS officers have been appointed on basis of merit after clearing written examination and interview without the recommendation of CM office. Similarly, it has been decided that in case of nomination to the post of IAS, the names of only those eligible candidates who would clear the written examination by Haryana Public Services Commission (HPSC) would be sent to UPSC.
He said that he has imbibed the message of holy Gita in his life and performing his duties as per the divine message. Interview process has been scrapped in the recruitment of Group D category of posts to infuse more transparency in the recruitment process. Though this drew criticism from many, yet he gave preference to merit above any other consideration. Online transfer policy of teachers was also implemented and he has directed all the departments with a staff strength of 500 or more to implement the same transfer policy by March 31, 2019.
He said that Haryana has reached to third position from 14th position in terms of Ease of Doing Business. He congratulated the team responsible for this achievement and said that they would have to work unitedly with the same spirit.
While describing corruption as cancer, he said that though corruption has been declared as a legal offence, yet collective efforts are needed to uproot the menace of corruption from the society. He said that though our constitution makers have made provision of decentralization of power among the four pillars of democracy to keep a check on one another, yet we are unable to completely root out the corruption. He urged to minimize discretion and refrain from the giving undue favours to minimize corruption.
Earlier, the Chief Minister went around the exhibition put up on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day. He also released the brochure published by Information, Public Relations and Languages Department. A pledge ‘Say no to Corruption’ was also administered to all those present on this occasion. He also flagged off a by-cycle rally which passed through important points in Panchkula disseminating message against corruption.
Earlier, speaking on this occasion, Chief Secretary Mrs Keshni Anand Arora thanked the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal for his initiative to celebrate International Anti-Corruption Day in the State. She said that it was for the first time in the history of Haryana that International Anti-Corruption Day has been celebrated. She said that various reforms have been taken in the country and the State to keep a check on corruption.
Director General, State Vigilance Bureau Dr K.P Singh said that theme of today’s function “Together We Can Fight Corruption “has a special significance keeping in view the present day scenario. He said that as a result of various steps taken by the present State Government, there has been significant reduction in the cases of corruption.
Chairman Haryana Governance Reforms Authority Prof Promod Kumar congratulated Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal for giving government jobs to youth on merit. He stressed the need to make transparent the internal mechanism of departments to keep a check on corruption.
Among those present on this occasion included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr Rajesh Khullar, Director General of Police Mr Manoj Yadava, Additional Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries of various department and senior officers of Police Department.