By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 2 Nov: The ICAR – Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (ICAR – IISWC) observed Vigilance Awareness Week-2020 from 27 October to 2 November on the theme – “Vigilant India, Prosperous India”.
The celebration began with an integrity pledge on 27 October taken by all the scientists, technical officials and the staff of the institute to be transparent, honest and vigilant with the highest standard of integrity. The concluding webinar and online deliberations on significance of Vigilance and Good Governance was held today.
The IISWC at Dehradun and its 8 other research centres located in various states of the country and the Selaqui Research Farm, Dehradun, observed the week with various activities. An online webinar on Good Governance and Vigilance, debate competition on corruption-free India, quiz on vigilance, good governance, office administration, store and purchase rules and procedures, besides integrity pledge and the mass email and SMS-campaign for creation of awareness and sensitisation on vigilance and integrity were parts of the week-long celebrations organised.
Awareness Banners on vigilance and good governance were displayed at various strategic locations around the Head Office and the centres. The e-mail and SMS campaign highlighted the issues related to vigilance, integrity, and related shortcomings that may require correction or redressal by the appropriate authority. Also, the office staff took a pledge online.
At the concluding webinar, Dr RS Yadav, Director (Acting), called for vigilant functioning and efficient delivery at the individual-level and the organisation as a whole. Dr PR Ojasvi, senior-most hydrologist, also participated in the events. Heads of Divisions and Centres deliberated on various issues of vigilance and office functioning.
Dr Muruganandam, Principal Scientist and Vigilance Officer, conducted a webinar on overview of various attributes and issues hovering around vigilance, transparency, integrity, and good governance drawing reference from the vigilance manuals, CVC guidelines, CCS (CCA) and CCS (Conduct) Rules of GoI and existing coordination between CVC, ICAR and ICAR Labs. He spoke on various types of vigilance, objectives, importance, manifestations of corruption, means of progressing through corruption-free engagements, and the impacts of vigilance in organisations. He highlighted that preventive intelligence is more important than punitive vigilance.
Dr PR Ojasvi Head (H&E), Dr NK Sharma, Head (SS&A) and Dr Harsh Mehta, Head (Plant Science) and the respective Heads of the Centres administered the pledge to all the scientists and staff. Dr RS Yadav, Director (Acting) Gajmoti, CAO, and Dr M Muruganandam coordinated the week. SS Srimali, Sr Scientist, Dr/s Indhu Rawat, Raman Jeet Singh, R Bishnoi, Anand Gupta, Pawan Kumar coordinated various events of the week along with Amit Chauhan, and HS Bhatia STOs.
At the end of the webinar, winners of various competitions were declared and appreciated.