Odisha to set up 2 more vigilance courts

As part of the anti-corruption drive in the state, Odisha government today announced to set up two more vigilance courts.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing the valedictory programme of Vigilance Awareness Week here.
The new courts will come up at Dhenkanal and Angul districts.
"The State vigilance is actively following the anti-corruption drive. We have opened vigilance offices at every revenue district. We have established two additional vigilance courts in Sundergarh and Cuttack. Two more vigilance courts will also be opened at Angul and Dhenkanal shortly," Patnaik said.
While highlighting performance of the anti-corruption wing, the state vigilance Director Rajendra Prasad Sharma said his department has registered 449 cases by September this year, which includes cases against 64 Class-I officers.

"Last year, the vigilance had registered 464 cases, whereas till September this year we have already lodged 449 cases. We have booked cases against 64 Class-I, 74 Class-II and 315 Class-III officers," Sharma said.

He said the vigilance sleuths have arrested 285 accused by September, which include 29 Class-I and 27 Class-II officers.
Similarly, 78 cases were closed in 2015 while 57 cases ended by September this year.
As many as eight Class-I and six Class-II officers have been convicted, Sharma said.
During the last five years 134 public servants, including five Class-I, 15 Class-II and 108 Class-III public servants have been dismissed from service after being convicted in vigilance cases, Sharma said.