Officers of several department of the state pledged to refrain from taking or giving bribes on Monday, the first day of the vigilance public awareness week being hosted by the State Vigilance Department at its headquarters in Dehradun.    Director of vigilance headquarters Ram Singh Meena said soon after the awareness week was launched that several programmes are lined up  this week across the state which would help build a robust public opinion against taking and giving bribes for government works to be done. “Public participation is necessary to weed out corruption from the state,” he said, adding that the people who encounter government officials asking for bribes must inform the department promptly to help us bring them to book. Besides, they should provide us information of the officers found possessing assets disproportionate to their disclosed sources of income. They are free  to individually approach the department officials, seeking action against any government officer or employee, irrespective of status, who are found indulging in corruption in the form of demanding bribes,” Meena said while reiterating his department’s resolve mete out deterrent punishment to those  indulging in the bribe culture.    

Meena said that  to check corruption, a toll free number – 1800-180-6666- has been put into place and it is available for the people round the clock. “People can also register complaints on What’s App number- 9456592300.  Apart from this, they can register reports on the following numbers- vigilance directorate -0135-2520321, SP vigilance sector Dehradun -0135-2725424, 9456591894 and SP vigilance sector Haldwani (Nainital)-05946-246372, 9411112761,” he added.

He  further informed that a seminar on ‘prevention of corruption’ would be held at ONGC premises  on Tuesdayfrom where the  people would be appealed to co-operate with the Government to free  the State from corruption.  This would be followed by a string of programmes across the state to mark the week, he informed

On November 1, a school rally involving students would be held. On November 2, debate and discussion on topic “Is current education system playing vital role in curbing corruptionIJ” would be held at police lines. On November 3, an awareness campaign would be held at Doiwala, Sahaspur  and Roorkee blocks. Similar awareness campaigns against corruption would be launched in Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and several other districts during the week.