Odisha Vigilance has topped the list in detecting and registering disproportionate asset cases, revealed the recently published National Criminal Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2021.
Out of the total 398 vigilance cases registered across the nation, Odisha Vigilance registered 92 cases, which is 23 percent of the total cases registered in the country. Similarly, the punishment rate is 42.5 percent.
In 2021, as many as 12 government servants lost their jobs for accumulating assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.
“In the year 2021, Odisha Vigilance has performed well at the national level. Odisha Vigilance has been placed at the top of the list in detecting and registering disproportionate assets. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have been placed on second and third positions respectively,” said SP, Cuttack Vigilance Cell M Radhakrishnan.
“Similarly, in detection and registration of criminal misconduct and misappropriation cases, Odisha stands second, next to Tamil Nadu. In government servants losing jobs to their accumulation of assets disproportionate to their known sources of income, Odisha has also been placed at the second,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Opposition launched a scathing attack on the government over scores of corruption allegations against government babus and employees.
It has been alleged that action has not been taken against many officers who are caught in the Vigilance net.
“There is not a single office which is free from bribe. When officers are caught red-handed, they are regarded as Vigilance cases. But there are so many corruptions going unreported. Despite the Chief Minister’s warning, corruption cases are on the rise in the State. Officers are not obeying him,” said BJP spokesperson Surath Biswal.
“Odisha Vigilance has been placed at the top of the list in detecting and registering disproportionate assets cases. From this, one thing is clear that the State is also number one in corruption. The government should realize it,” said Congress spokesperson Nishikanta Mishra.
In this regard, former Odisha DGP Sanjeev Marik said, “The corruption is in the system. Taking PC has become a common practice. At the same time, our State is on fourth or fifth in conviction rate. So, conviction rate should be increased.”