Governor Koshyari wants to endorse corruption in the Govt?
At a time when the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and BJP have been engaged in a fierce political mud-slinging over allegations of corruption and vindictiveness against each other, a message by Governor Bhagat Singh Kohyari given on the eve of Vigilance Awareness Week likely to come as a shocker.
The message which will be read in front of the state government employees on Tuesday 26th as a part of inauguration of the observance of the Vigilance Awareness Week, begins with saying, ‘there has been public outcry over corruption and delay in delivery of government services.
The straightforward observation by the governor, can be construed as an attempt to accept it as a fact, when he is the constitutional head of state. Apart from this he commands over the state administration as each and every order by the government is issued on his behalf the state administration discharges its duties as per the rules of business approved by the governor.
Vigilance awareness week is the yearly feature coinciding with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary that falls on October 31. The week begins with an oath given to government employees to fight against corruption and to ensure integrity in public life. Generally, the message by the governor has been routine with an appeal to eradicate corruption and offer efficient delivery of services to people.
But this year, the language of the governor’s message is slightly different. Had a similar statement was made by any leader from the party in opposition, it would not have attracted much attention. But it assumes significance in the light of the current stand-off between Governor Koshyari and the state government led by Uddhav Thackeray.
The full text of the message is read like this- There has been a public outcry over corruption and delays in delivery of services. If people are forced to make repeated visits to the government offices over their issues or no reply is given, they may become nervous about the system of governance. Therefore, every citizen should be treated with courtesy, his problems should be taken care of and the problems should be resolved as soon as possible as per the prescribed rules. While celebrating the platinum jubilee year of independence, everyone should resolve to make our society free from corruption. On the occasion of Vigilance Awareness Week, let us all be committed to building a corruption-free Maharashtra”.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in his message says- this week is also organized by the state government every year on the lines of Central Vigilance Commission. I think the main purpose of this week is to alert and empower everyone in the fight against corruption. Because in this fight, the state government needs the cooperation of the citizens.
Previous messages in mellowed words
Last year, in October 2020, while delivering his message for a similar week, the Governor had said that corruption is a major obstacle in the process of good governance. Corruption slows down the progress of the nation on the one hand, and deprives ordinary needy citizens from the benefits of various welfare schemes, etc. etc.
The Vigilance Week celebrated in the year 2019 coincided with the elections in the state assembly and the government led by Devendra Fadnavis was in power. Then Governor Koshyari had said that in order to strengthen the culture of honesty, transparency and accountability in public life, the participation of every section of society was essential. That is why I congratulate the Government of Maharashtra for organizing Vigilance Week to create awareness.
Two new campaigns this year
Meanwhile, as part of this year’s Vigilance Week, two campaigns have been suggested by the Vigilance Commission – public interest disclosure and protection of informers- PIDPI and holding Gram Sabhas in every village.
Besides that, the Vigilance Commission seeks internal information of each government department about land in possession, records of it and encroachments on the land, measures taken in this regard and information on government service quarters and if those were distributed in a transparent manner.