In a significant push against graft, the Odisha government has achieved a historic milestone in its anti-corruption drive. Between April 1 and December 31, 2025, the state administration referred a staggering 125 cases to the vigilance department for investigation. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), this marks the highest number for any nine-month period in the state's history.
Unprecedented Action Against Graft
The revealing figures came to light during a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday. The meeting, attended by Vigilance Director Yeshwant Jethwa and senior officers, focused on strategies for corruption-free governance. Officials attributed this sharp surge in case referrals to the government's stringent zero-tolerance policy against corruption, which has effectively put the entire vigilance machinery into high-gear "action mode."
Beyond the new referrals, the department also demonstrated remarkable efficiency in resolving existing cases. In the calendar year 2025, a total of 488 cases were disposed of. This includes 173 cases related to disproportionate assets, which itself is the highest number of such cases ever settled in a single year for Odisha.
CM's Vision for a Corruption-Free Odisha
Chief Minister Majhi lauded the vigilance department's relentless efforts during the review. He emphasized that the current momentum must be sustained to cleanse the system entirely. "The time has come to make Odisha completely corruption-free and set an example that deters government employees from taking the path of corruption," Majhi stated. He urged the department to continue its aggressive campaign without any leniency.
The meeting also delved into operational aspects crucial for the department's effectiveness. Discussions were held on skill enhancement for officers, new recruitment drives, and the urgent need to fill all vacant posts within the vigilance wing. The Chief Minister assured the officials that these resource and manpower requirements would be addressed promptly.
Institutional Strengthening and ISO Milestone
Adding a feather to its cap, the State Vigilance Academy (SVA) has been awarded the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification for its upgraded infrastructure and quality of training. This certification, valid for three years, recognizes the academy's commitment to standardized excellence.
CM Majhi praised the SVA for this achievement, calling it a significant step in bolstering institutional capacity. A vigilance department statement elaborated that this recognition is expected to further strengthen public confidence in the academy and reinforce its position as a premier anti-corruption training institution in India.
The statement outlined an ambitious future roadmap for the SVA. "The goal is to turn SVA into a platform for niche research and to disseminate evidence-based knowledge and solutions to institutions to strengthen their preventive vigilance structures, prevent leakages, as well as address corruption in the field of governance," it added. This move signals a shift from merely punitive actions to building systemic resilience against corruption.
