International Anti-Corruption Day held under the chairmanship of CM Shri Bhupendra Patel

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel Calls for Resolute and Strong Fight Against Corruption

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel has called for advancing the fight against corruption with determination and strength.

In this context, he remarked that the term corruption comprises two words: corrupt and conduct. When an individual seeks shortcuts to acquire more than their entitlement or necessity, they lose morality and foster corruption.

“We need to break this prevailing environment and intensify the fight against corruption with firm determination,” he said.

The Chief Minister was addressing a program organized by the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day in Gandhinagar.

During the event, the Chief Minister, in the presence of Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Harsh Sanghavi and Chief Secretary Shri Raj Kumar, honored 10 complainants who assisted the ACB in taking action against corrupt officials and employees through the CARE initiative.

Inspired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of involving common citizens in the fight against corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau launched the CARE program in 2024.

Under this program, complainants are provided with proper protection and assistance to ensure they are not harassed. Their grievances are reviewed through direct contact, suggestions are collected, and resolutions are made accordingly. As part of this initiative, direct contact was established with 1,864 complainants.

Additionally, 175 suggestions and 72 representations were gathered from these complainants, leading to resolutions in 23 cases.

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel also honored the complainants under the CARE program by presenting them with certificates for their awareness and contribution.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country has witnessed a significant transformation. He added, “This is a great example for the nation of how an individual can bring about remarkable results with a strong will to serve the people.”

He highlighted that the Prime Minister has elevated India from being the 11th largest economy to the 5th and has set a vision for Developed India @ 2047, aiming to make India the 3rd largest economy.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of collective efforts to eliminate corruption as the country undergoes such a significant transformation.

Encouraging the ACB officers and employees across the state, Shri Bhupendra Patel urged them to fight against corruption without hesitation or fear, assuring them of the state government’s unwavering support.

Explaining the essence of religion and duty, he stated that all our religions, cultures, and sects emphasize rising above negativity and leading a positive life. He further remarked, “If we want to live in peace and happiness, we must adopt ethical conduct in our behavior so that we can sleep peacefully at night.”

The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of Team ACB in the fight against corruption and extended his congratulations.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Harsh Sanghavi congratulated the entire team of the Anti-Corruption Bureau for their relentless fight against bribery to ensure justice and rights for the state’s citizens. He noted that bribery is not just a word but a significant obstacle to the development of our society, undermining the values of justice, equality, transparency, and citizen welfare.

He added that since Shri Bhupendra Patel took charge as the Chief Minister, the ACB team has been given full freedom to take strict action against corrupt individuals. As a result, Gujarat has achieved the distinction of catching the highest number of corrupt officials and employees.

Praising the ACB’s work, the minister remarked that the bureau is fulfilling its duty of providing justice to the state’s poor and common citizens. He noted that every complainant who approaches the ACB has endured significant suffering and reaches out with confidence. Therefore, it is essential to act without bias to strengthen their trust and morale, a responsibility the Gujarat ACB team has diligently fulfilled.

At the event, the minister assured citizens that the Gujarat ACB team would continue to work even more robustly, ensuring justice for common people and imposing strict penalties on corrupt individuals.

Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Shri Shamsher Singh highlighted the government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption. He explained how the ACB apprehends corrupt officials and employees to deliver justice to complainants. Under the CARE program, ACB has directly contacted over 1,864 complainants, gathering suggestions and representations to resolve cases.

The CARE program has also inspired complainants to file new cases, achieving success in registering additional complaints. The ACB is planning to establish a Financial Task Force to enhance its operations.

During the event, students who secured the first, second, and third positions in the ACB-organized essay competition in Gujarat schools were felicitated by the Chief Minister. Furthermore, the Chief Minister honored complainants who came forward against corruption, government lawyers who successfully fought corruption cases in court, and ACB officers for their exemplary work in the fight against corruption.

The event was attended by Chief Secretary Shri Raj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and Home Department Shri M.K. Das, Vigilance Commissioner Shri Sangeeta Singh, NFSU Vice-Chancellor Dr. J.M. Vyas, and ACB officers, employees, and students associated with the Gujarat State Anti-Corruption Bureau.