To promote transparency and accountability in government institutions and organizations, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha administered the Integrity Pledge to officers on the occasion of Vigilance Awareness Week. The theme of the week is “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity” and aims to create a system that promotes fairness and progress in society. The use of technology is a key factor in reducing corruption and all departments and individuals are encouraged to play their part in reporting any corrupt practices.
Integrity Pledge: Fostering Transparency and Accountability
Background
The concept of integrity has long been recognized as a cornerstone of sound governance. In India, the Vigilance Awareness Week is observed annually from October 27 to November 2 to promote a culture of integrity in government institutions and organizations.
Recent Events
On October 27, 2023, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the Integrity Pledge to officers in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This year's theme, "Culture of Integrity for Nation's Prosperity," emphasizes the importance of creating a fair and just society through ethical conduct.
Objectives
The Integrity Pledge aims to:
Key Initiatives
Top 5 FAQs
What is the Integrity Pledge? Answer: It is a formal commitment made by government officials to uphold ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in their work.
Who administers the Integrity Pledge? Answer: In Jammu and Kashmir, it is administered by the Lieutenant Governor. The CVC administers the pledge at the national level.
What is the theme of this year's Vigilance Awareness Week? Answer: "Culture of Integrity for Nation's Prosperity"
How can citizens report corruption? Answer: Through online portals, helplines, or by filing complaints with the CVC or other designated authorities.
What are the consequences of violating the Integrity Pledge? Answer: Breaches of ethical conduct can lead to disciplinary action, prosecution, and loss of public trust.
During the inauguration of the Vizhinjam port, Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a dig at the INDI Alliance, stating that the event will disturb the sleep of many. He also mentions Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's presence and adds that the plaque unveiled by him mentions Tharoor's name. It is noteworthy that Tharoor has previously faced backlash from his party for speaking in support of the BJP government. The Vizhinjam port is expected to have a major impact on India's international trade and shipping.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has proposed that the Centre constitute a group of Union ministers and an expert committee to hold discussions with stakeholders and emulate the "Telangana model" for the caste census. Reddy also recommended that the Central government engage with all political parties and civil society organizations before initiating the process, and ensure clear timelines are established. The CM expressed willingness to cooperate with the Centre and share the state's experience, citing that one year was sufficient to complete the exercise in Telangana. The decision to include caste enumeration in the census exercise was welcomed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who suggested Telangana as a model for the same.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has voiced his support for the families of those killed in the recent Pahalgam terror attack, stating that they deserve to be recognized as martyrs for their sacrifice. The opposition leader has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respect the sentiments of the families and grant martyr status to their loved ones. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has turned down a plea on the Pahalgam attack, stating that such actions can demoralize the security forces.
The Karnataka government is preparing for a comprehensive door-to-door survey starting from May 5 to gather data on the sub-castes and social-economic conditions of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. This survey is in response to the ongoing demand for internal reservation within the SC community, particularly for the most marginalized sub-castes. The retired Justice H.N. Nagamoohana Das-led commission established by the High Court will conduct the survey and formulate recommendations by November 12, 2024, for the implementation of SC reservation according to demographics in the state. A total of 58,960 enumerators and 6,000 supervisors have been appointed for this purpose, with the aim of assessing the statistics and needs of the SC community.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently inaugurated the beautiful Jagannath Dham temple in Digha. The temple, built in the traditional Kalinga architectural style, is expected to become a popular pilgrimage and tourism spot in the region. The project, developed by the state government at a cost of Rs 250 crore, involved the contribution of over 800 skilled artisans from Rajasthan. In her speech, Banerjee praised the temple as a symbol of Bengal's devotion and cultural heritage, embodying the unity and spirit of its people.
The newly appointed BBMP Commissioner Maheshwar Rao has responded to criticism from Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya regarding the poor state of Bengaluru's civic infrastructure. In an exclusive interview with News18, Rao stated that the BBMP is committed to making Bengaluru the top city in India and welcomes suggestions and ideas for improvement. He also addressed criticisms of the Pothole Fix app, claiming that many complaints were found to be false.
The Maharashtra government has appointed Deven Bharti, a 1994-batch IPS officer, as the new Commissioner of Mumbai Police. Bharti has previously served at important postings in Mumbai, including as the Special Commissioner of Police. This decision comes after the retirement of former commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, with possible contenders including NIA chief Sadanand Date and Archana Tyagi. Bharti's appointment also marks the first time a woman has headed the Mumbai Police.
The Congress party faced severe backlash from both the BJP and internet users after sharing a poster with the tagline 'जिम्मेदारी' के समय - (responsible at the time of) Gayab, featuring a faceless person wearing an outfit similar to that of Prime Minister Modi. Former minister Fawad Ahmed Hussain Chaudhry of Pakistan joined in, resharing the poster with a jibe. Netizens criticized the Congress for previously taking a soft stance towards Pakistan and questioned their silence during previous attacks.
Canadian politician Jagmeet Singh, known for his pro-Khalistan stance and allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar, has lost the 2025 Canadian federal election. His defeat is being seen as an opportunity for India and Canada to restore strained diplomatic and trade relations. Singh's NDP party, tipped as a 'kingmaker' in the closely-fought poll, has also been beaten and is expected to finish fourth. This resounding rejection of Singh's politics has led to his resignation as party leader.
The Congress party faced backlash from BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia for a controversial social media post accompanied by the caption "Jimmedari ke samay- GAYAB." Bhatia accused Congress of spreading a message aligned with Pakistan and terrorism, especially after the recent Pahalgam terror attack. He also highlighted a retweet of the post by a former Pakistani minister and claimed that the post reflects Congress's inherent ideology of being "sar tan se juda" (headless) and supporting Pakistan. The post has sparked debate online and raised questions about Congress's alignment with Pakistan amid tensions between India and Islamabad.