Keep doubtful officers out of key posts: Odisha CS Manoj Ahuja

The Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, has called for a “preventive vigilance” initiative in all departments, urging zero tolerance for corruption and insisting that officials with questionable integrity be excluded from sensitive roles. This directive comes via a letter issued on September 11, 2025, to Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Revenue Divisional Commissioners, Collectors, and the Director General of Vigilance.

Ahuja emphasized that punitive action alone isn’t enough. To tackle corruption effectively, departments are being asked to systematically address its root causes through legal, social, economic, administrative, and educational measures. He noted that recent cases uncovered by the Vigilance department make clear that preventive steps are urgently needed.

Key Measures & Reforms

• All departments must identify vulnerable areas and prepare short- and long-term action plans by constituting Internal Vigilance Committees (IVCs).
• The Chief Secretary has directed that human resources practices be made more transparent, including staff rotation, online transfers, and ensuring exclusion of officials with doubtful integrity from sensitive roles.
• Technology-driven reforms are being scaled up: e-tendering, e-procurement, digital HR systems, work passbooks, DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) for funds, and other tools are to be adopted widely.
• To improve citizen engagement and accountability: offices will display service delivery timelines per the Odisha Right to Public Service (ORTPS) Act; use dashboards and feedback systems; ensure compliance is monitored and made transparent.

Context & Significance

Ahuja’s directive draws on recommendations of the Santhanam Committee, which stressed the need for vigilance systems that aren’t merely reactive. Areas such as discretionary powers in public service delivery, monopolies, weak grievance redress mechanisms, and low public awareness were flagged as high risk.

This move also aligns with recent government actions: Odisha’s vigilance department has arrested several staffers in bribery cases, as part of a broader crackdown.