DIMAPUR OCT 30 (MExN): Since the year 2000, when N. Vittal, the then Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) declared that the week beginning from 31st October every year would be observed as the Vigilance Awareness Week, all Central and State Government establishments have started focusing on integrity issues once a year. The significance of 31st October was that it is the birthday of the ‘Bismarck of India’, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He is known for having represented the best values in governance and was regarded as a shining example of probity in public life.
Starting tomorrow Nagaland will likewise join the rest of the country in observing the Vigilance Awareness Week. According to State Vigilance Commissioner Talitemjen Ao all government servants would take a “Pledge” a copy of which is being sent to all the District Administrative/Head of Departments and Administrative Heads of Departments. The pledge would be a rededication towards the cause of public accountability, transparency and reaffirmation of the fight against public and administrative manipulations and corruption at all levels. The Vigilance Awareness Week will culminate on November 4.
Meanwhile Governor Shyamal Datta in his message pointed out that corruption would continue to thrive under conditions where there was lack of transparency, accountability and public vigil. He also said that corruption had caused wasteful expenditure and led to inefficient management. “Corruption in any form undermines fair-play thereby seriously disabling the society to realize its fullest potential. The common man bears the brunt. We also have to be mindful of the debilitating effect of corruption” Governor Datta reminded.
The Governor also made mention of the enactment of the Right to Information Act and its coming into force from October 12, 2005, as holding great promise of better probity in public life. He appealed that that the said Act be utilized well, as an instrument, by both Government servants and the citizens alike, for the larger public good. In the same vein, Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio while lamenting that corruption had become institutionalized and there was an elaborate system surrounding it, said that the people, as responsible citizens of the state, have every right to demand transparency and accountability from those public servants who have been entrusted with running the affairs of the State. Dwelling upon the consequences of corruption on development, Rio said that the Naga society had been negatively impacted resulting in enormous loss of opportunities for the people. “The Nagas are known for their love for truth and honesty. A corrupt-free State is able to progress and develop much faster” Rio said calling upon all sections of the society, especially the public servants to re-dedicate themselves to fight corruption as it undermines the quality of public service.
PLEDGE FOR VIGILANCE AWARENESS WEEK 2005
WE, THE PUBLIC SERVANTS OF INDIA, DO HEREBY SOLEMNLY PLEDGE THAT WE SHALL CONTINUOUSLY STRIVE TO BRING ABOUT INTEGRITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN ALL SPHERES OF OUR ACTIVITIES. WE ALSO PLEDGE THAT WE SHALL WORK UNSTINTINGLY FOR ERADICATION OF CORRUPTION IN ALL SPHERES OF LIFE. WE SHALL REMAIN VIGILANT AND WORK TOWARDS THE GROWTH AND REPUTATION OF OUR ORGANISATION. THROUGH OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS, WE SHALL BRING PRIDE TO OUR ORGANISATIONS AND PROVIDE VALUE BASED SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRYMEN. WE SHALL DO OUR DUTY CONSCIENTIOUSLY AND ACT WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR.
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