NEW DELHI: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today launched the “Ideas Box” on Good Governance Practices in Pandemic. The Ideas Box aims at crowdsourcing of ideas and has been operationalized with the intention to exchange views about best practices followed during a pandemic like COVID and how best to follow them in case of a similar situation arising again.The ceremony also coincided with the valedictory function of the Vigilance Awareness week observed by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances(DARPG) in the Union Ministry of Personnel. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the observance of the Vigilance Awareness Week is a reiteration of the Government’s resolve to continue the crusade against corruption.Dr Jitendra Singh recalled that in 2014, there was an atmosphere of despair and disillusionment and the common man felt that there is no redemption to the cycle of corruption. The Modi Government has successfully transformed the then pervading pessimism into optimism.In pursuance of the Prime Minister’s Mantra of “Zero Tolerance to Corruption ”, Dr Jitendra Singh said, a number of decisive steps have been taken by the Government to combat corruption. The Prevention of Corruption Act was amended after a gap of 30 years to make the processes more equitable and reduce opportunities for corruption. Similarly, he said, Government abolished interviews for Class “C” and “D” posts. The Lokpal was made functional in 2018, he added.The Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) policy, said Dr Jitendra Singh, has resulted in Rs. 16000 crore savings to the government. Further the Central Information Commission and the DARPG have successfully scaled up disposal of cases.Dr Jitendra Singh said, the recent decision to set up National Recruitment Agency which will conduct the Common Eligibility Test will provide a level playing field for employment opportunities to lower level jobs. He also referred to the other major decision of launching Mission Karmayogi.Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the Government has walked the talk in its fight against corruption and the social esteem of being incorruptible is the ulti,ate objective to be achieved.A round table discussion on the theme “Satark Bharat, Samriddh Bharat (Vigilant India, Prosperous India)” was also held by the Department keeping in line with the activities for the occasion. The round table was addressed by former Cabinet Secretaries Prabhat Kumar and Ajit Seth, former Secretary DOPT Dr. C.Chandramouli and Secretary DARPG Dr. K.Shivaji.Dr. Kshtrapati Shivaji, Secretary DARPG, V.Srinivas Additional Secretary DARPG, Sudhir Kumar, Additional Secretary, CVC, Prabhat Kumar, Former Cabinet Secretary, Ajit Seth, Former Cabinet Secretary, Dr.Chandramouli, former Secretary, DoPT , Jaya Dubey Joint Secretary DARPG along with officials of the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances took the pledge and were present for the observance of the Vigilance Day activities in DARPG
