Kerala Unveils Project Zero To Root Out Corruption; Promises Rs 5,000 Reward for Whistleblowers
The previous LDF government often took pride in calling Kerala the least corrupt state in the country. Transparency International, which releases annual rankings on corruption, reported that Kerala had the lowest corruption level at 20 per cent.
Thiruvananthapuram: Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday announced a major anti-corruption drive by the Vigilance Department called Project Zero, aimed at making Kerala a corruption-free state.
Sharing details of the campaign at a press conference, Chennithala said Project Zero seeks to completely eliminate corruption in all areas, including government offices. The goal is to ensure transparency and accountability in administration with the active involvement of the public.
People have been encouraged to upload videos to the official vigilance portal if they witness officials demanding or accepting bribes. The vigilance officials will verify the videos, and once confirmed as authentic, the informer will receive a reward of Rs 5,000.
While the identity and other details of the informants would be kept confidential, the reward would be given only after detailed verification of the video evidence and the information provided. Chennithala said the people of the state deserve a corruption-free administration and should receive services without any bribes or other corrupt practices.
The emphasis of Project Zero would also be on preventive measures, using modern technology to monitor the changing forms of corruption. The focus would be mainly on prevention. "We want to detect new methods of corruption before people become victims of such practices," the minister said.
Chennithala said that in view of the changing methods of corruption, the vigilance manual, originally prepared in 1969, would be revised to meet present-day requirements. The state would continue to conduct surprise vigilance raids to keep corruption in check. The anti-corruption drive follows closely after the Home Minister launched Operation Toofan, declaring war against the drugs.
The previous LDF government often took pride in calling Kerala the least corrupt state in the country. Transparency International, which releases annual rankings on corruption, reported that Kerala had the lowest corruption level at 20 per cent.
Observers believe there will be pressure on the new Home Minister to uphold the state’s current track record in tackling corruption.
