Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
By A Correspondent
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar conducted a high-level review of the Vigilance Department at ‘Sankalp’ located at 1 Anne Marg. During the session, the Chief Minister conducted a detailed review of the functioning of the Vigilance Investigation Bureau, the Special Vigilance Unit, the Technical Examiner Cell, and the Economic Offences Unit, and issued necessary directives.
In the review meeting, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, Arvind Kumar Choudhary, presented an overview of the formation, objectives, and operations of the Vigilance Department. He said that, following the Chief Minister’s directions, a capable, effective, dynamic, and sensitive system has been established to create a corruption-free state administration. Director General of the Vigilance Investigation Bureau, J.S. Gangwar, provided a detailed account of the investigation and action taken in registered cases. Additional Director General of Police of the Special Vigilance Unit, Pankaj Darad, informed that the unit was established in 2006 under the Chief Minister’s directive. It continues to play a vital role in strengthening the state’s vigilance mechanism and ensuring a corruption-free system.
Additional Director General of Police of the Economic Offences Unit, Nayyar Hasnain Khan, said that the unit was formed in 2011 under the Chief Minister’s guidance. This unit is effectively handling investigations related to economic and cyber crimes. Engineer-in-Chief of the Technical Examiner Cell, Ravi Kumar, explained that the wing investigates corruption cases involving serious technical aspects and provides technical support to both the Vigilance Investigation Bureau and the Special Vigilance Unit.
The Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that the state government is working on the principle of “development with justice”. A policy of zero tolerance is being followed to eliminate corruption. The state administration must function in a completely corruption-free manner for the benefit of the people. He emphasised that all units — the Vigilance Investigation Bureau, the Special Vigilance Unit, the Technical Examiner Cell, and the Economic Offences Unit — are fulfilling their respective responsibilities, and that the Vigilance Department must act in a more dynamic and sensitive manner to combat corruption more effectively.
He instructed that the strictest possible measures be taken to curb corruption, and that registered cases should be investigated swiftly and resolved promptly. He stressed the importance of effective monitoring of work processes at all departmental levels, from top to bottom.
Nitish Kumar directed that public awareness should be raised regarding complaint mechanisms such as the control room and toll-free numbers. Complainants must not face any inconvenience, and their complaints should be acted upon immediately. He added that strict vigilance should be maintained over corrupt systems and individuals to ensure that the benefits of government services and schemes reach the public smoothly. Special attention should be given to circle offices, block offices, police stations, engineering and administrative departments, as well as departments like education, health, anganwadi, mining, and transport.
District Magistrates should also conduct monitoring at their level and take prompt action so that the public does not face any inconvenience and their trust in the administration is strengthened. Nitish Kumar instructed for surprise inspections of welfare schemes including MNREGA, and to gather information on the progress of these schemes. If any irregularities are found, immediate investigation and action should follow. He firmly stated that everyone must remain vigilant against corruption and that no form of corruption will be tolerated.
The review meeting was attended by the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Deepak Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department Arvind Kumar Choudhary, the Chief Minister’s Secretaries Anupam Kumar and Kumar Ravi, Director General of the Vigilance Investigation Bureau J.S. Gangwar, Additional Director General of Police of the Special Vigilance Unit Pankaj Darad, Additional Director General of Police of the Economic Offences Unit Nayyar Hasnain Khan, Deputy Inspector General of Police of the Economic Offences Unit Manavjit Singh Dhillon, and Engineer-in-Chief of the Technical Examiner Cell Ravi Kumar, along with other officials.
