Prime Minister to address the Valedictory Function of Vigilance Awareness Week-2016 on 7th November

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address the Valedictory Function of Vigilance Awareness Week-2016 here on November 07, 2016. The Central Vigilance Commission is observing Vigilance Awareness Week from 31^st October to 5^th November 2016 this year . The week in which 31^st October, the birthday of late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel falls is observed as Vigilance Awareness Week.  The theme for this year is “Public participation in Promoting Integrity and Eradicating Corruption”. The week is observed to generate awareness about the menace of corruption and aims to sensitize public about the consequences of corruption and the ways to eliminate it.

The observance of the Vigilance Awareness Week commenced with pledge taking by public servants in the Ministries/Departments/Central Public Sector Enterprises/Public Sector Banks and all other Organizations on 31^st October 2016 at 11.00am. All organizations have conducted activities relevant to the theme both within their organization as well as for outreach for the public /citizens during the Vigilance Awareness Week.

The Commission has, this year, envisaged a concept of “Integrity Pledge” to enlist support and commitment of the citizens and organizations for upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct, honesty and integrity. As such there are two Integrity Pledges, one for the citizens and the other for corporates/entities/firms etc. especially in the private sector. These pledges have been developed by NIC for the Commission . The “Integrity Pledges” have been  available as e-pledges from 31^st October 2016 onwards and are accessed on the Commission’s website http://www.cvc.nic.in. or can also be accessed directly at https:// pledge.cvc.nic.in. Citizens and organizations taking the Integrity pledge are being provided with a certificate acknowledging and appreciating their commitment to the cause of anti-corruption.  Within a few days of the launch of the Integrity Pledge, around four lakh citizens and 15,000 organisations have taken the pledge.

Ministries / Organizations have also conducted various activities such as lectures, panel discussions, debates, quiz, essay writing, slogans and poster competitions on moral values, ethics, good governance practices etc. for inculcating greater awareness on corruption and anti-corruption measures in colleges and schools including professional colleges/institutions across the country. Activities in schools / colleges across the country in over 500 cities / towns during the week have reached out to several lakh students /youth.

As a part of the activities conducted within the organizations as well as the outreach activities for public/ citizens, “Awareness Gram Sabhas” have been organized for dissemination of awareness in Gram Panchayats to sensitise citizens on the ill effects of corruption this year. About one lakh Gram Sabhas are expected to be conducted covering a large number of citizens across the country.

A National Seminar has been organized on this occasion this year, on 7^th November 2016 at Vigyan Bhavan which will be followed by the Valedictory function of the Vigilance Awareness Week 2016 . The Prime Minister is the Chief Guest for the Valedictory function.

The National Seminar consists of two panel discussions, on issues of contemporary relevance in this field, in the forenoon session on 7^th November 2016.  This session will commence with the keynote address delivered by Shri KV Chowdary, Chief Vigilance Commissioner. The first panel discussion is on the theme of the Vigilance Awareness week 2016 , viz. “ Public participation in promoting integrity and eradicating  Corruption” . The second panel discussion is on the theme of “Public Procurement”. Eminent persons have been invited as panelists to share their views on these themes. The panel discussions are to be attended by a diverse audience comprising stakeholders from the public,  employees organizations , trade unions, service associations as well as the chief executives of various organizations / departments and other senior administrative personnel.

The afternoon session on 7^th November 2016 is the Valedictory Function, where the Prime Minister is the Chief Guest for the occasion. The welcome speech will be delivered by Shri Rajiv, Vigilance Commissioner at the commencement of the function.  This will be followed by an overview of vigilance activities by Shri KV Chowdary, Chief Vigilance Commissioner. An audio visual presentation on Preventive Vigilance Initiatives will be made to the Prime Minister and release a Booklet on Preventive Vigilance , and will subsequently address the audience. Dr T.M.Bhasin, Vigilance Commissioner will deliver the vote of thanks for the function.

Courtesy – Press Information Bureau, Government of India