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Rovilator Mor administering the pledge during the observance of Vigilance Awarness Week programme on Oct. 29, at the Secretariat in Kohima.[/caption]
Dimapur, Oct. 29 (EMN):A function in observance of the Vigilance Awareness week, which is scheduled for Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, was conducted at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat in Kohima. Addressing the function as the chairperson, secretary for Home department, Rovilato Mor, said that in preparation for the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence the country was gearing up for a “new India” by 2022.
According to updates from the ‘information cell of the secretariat’ on Monday, Secretary Mor said that the Central Vigilance Commission, the apex “integrity institution” of the country, endeavours to promote integrity, transparency and accountability “in public life.” It had come up with the year’s theme “eradicate corruption, build a new India” for the Vigilance Week. In line with the theme was the pledge that was adopted to be undertaken.
The pledge “has been undertaken simultaneously by the employees,” the note added.
From our Mokokchung Correspondent
The State Vigilance Commission observed on Monday the Vigilance Awareness Week with the theme “eradicate corruption, build a new India,” with the district administration of Mokokchung district in Mokokchung. Vigilance Commissioner Mayang Lima addressed the gathering. He said that the youths are not only observing but know that the system is going wrong. It is time for the people to ‘wake up and do the correction.’ “We need to set an example for the future leaders (Present generation) to march forward,” the commissioner said. Lima said that ‘corruption stops economic and political development; spoil democracy and life of
the people, yet we continued to wear corruption.’
When the British and American missionaries came here in the mid-18th century, he opined, they found the Nagas ‘honest, hardworking, courageous and men of integrity.’ What happened to their descendants today, he wondered. “We continue to be corrupted as if there are no rules and regulations in the state, yet God sees; (they) will be punished,” Lima asserted. He reminded that system includes ‘you and me.’ He urged the people to start the change from the individual level. “It is time for the people to point out what is going wrong in the system and straighten the system in the right direction,” he said. Lima pointed to unemployment as one of the roots of corruption.
He expressed fear that if the number of unemployed people increases, the scale of corruption would ‘go beyond its limit.’ An inter-school debate competition was held to mark the event. Merennungla from Model Hr. Sec. School was adjudged the winner; Narokumla of JMS and Jungbennaro of Town Hr. Sec. School were first and second runner-up, in that order.
Government officials and employees of various departments in Mokokchung, and representatives of various civic organisations; and the church and media fraternity made a joint declaration to ‘fight corruption and to eradicate all forms of corruption’ from the state.
The joint declaration appreciated the efforts of the State Vigilance Commission in fighting corruption in Nagaland. The declaration resolved to extend all possible cooperation to the commission as and when required. The govt. employees resolved to endeavour to bring about transparency and accountability in delivering justice, and in development activities in the district and implementation of all welfare schemes meant for the people.
Community groups such as the Ao Senden, Watsu Mungdang, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang, Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem, and the ABAM and churches in the Mokokchung have resolved to participate in exposing corruption ‘committed by govt. officials and employees.’ They resolved to act as watchdogs for the society.
The message was that unless there is a people movement, a collective effort by all the organizations, the fight against corruption would not be won. The community and civic groups resolved to coordinate better to keep strict vigil on all development activities and ‘bring the culprits to the law enforcing authorities so that the future younger generation is not mortgaged in the hand of the few corrupt officials and politicians.’