“Corruption Is Not Just Financial Loss but an Assault on Lives of Citizens,” Says Lieutenant Governor
BuzzBytes
Jammu, March 8:
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday called upon the Anti-Corruption Bureau to ensure that every decision, investigation and prosecution withstands judicial scrutiny while intensifying efforts to eradicate corruption in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the new headquarters building of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Jammu and Kashmir at Sidhra in Jammu and the ACB APKS Branch at Awantipora.
Emphasising the role of the Anti-Corruption Bureau in strengthening governance, Sinha said the officers must utilise the authority granted by the Constitution to expose injustice and win the trust of the people.
“Jammu Kashmir no longer settles for mediocrity or the ordinary. It now dares to dream big. Among our people, a firm belief has taken root that a golden future lies ahead. Fulfilling this vision is also the responsibility of the officers and staff at the Anti-Corruption Bureau,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor described the newly inaugurated buildings as more than physical infrastructure.
“These buildings are not merely structures of steel, glass and concrete; they stand as a bold declaration of transparency in public life and a corruption-free Union Territory,” he said.
Highlighting governance reforms over the past several years, Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed transformative changes that have made administrative processes more transparent and citizen-centric.
“Today the entire machinery operates not for the benefit of a select few but for every individual across the Union Territory,” he said.
Referring to reforms introduced under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the Lieutenant Governor said a faceless mechanism has been established in many government processes to eliminate corruption, reduce delays and deliver services directly to citizens.
Sinha also pointed to accelerated project execution and development across sectors such as industry, infrastructure, agriculture, self-employment, health, power and rural development, attributing the progress to transparent and accountable governance.
Calling for greater efficiency in anti-corruption investigations, the Lieutenant Governor urged officers to conduct daily self-audits of their work to strengthen the credibility of the institution.
“Your efforts should thrive on maximum collaboration. In today’s interconnected world corruption knows no borders, and information held by one agency may become the crucial piece of evidence in another investigation,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of timely investigations, noting that delays in justice can weaken outcomes in corruption cases.
“Delayed justice not only denies society its due but also undermines the effectiveness of corruption cases. We must cultivate a work culture that eliminates delays in delivering justice,” he said.
Describing corruption as a serious social injustice, the Lieutenant Governor said it deprives citizens of opportunities and security.
“Corruption is not merely a loss of public money. It is an opportunity stolen from youth, security snatched from a family and injustice inflicted on an elderly member of society,” he said.
The newly established ACB APKS Branch at Awantipora will cater to the ACB Police Station Anantnag and cover all districts of south Kashmir, improving accessibility and enabling faster handling of complaints and investigations.
Director Shakti Kumar Pathak briefed the gathering about the functioning of the Bureau and the features of the newly constructed facilities, stating that the infrastructure will strengthen field-level vigilance operations.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, ADGP Headquarters M. K. Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Mandeep K. Bhandari, Commissioner Secretary GAD M. Raju, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, IGP Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Rakesh Minhas and other senior officials.
