Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has intensified the state government's efforts to combat corruption by granting the Vigilance Department greater autonomy to take decisive action. This initiative reflects Dhami's commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, which he emphasized upon assuming office.
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) has reported a significant increase in vigilance traps, arrests, and convictions as a result of this empowered approach. Over the past four and a half years, the Vigilance Department has achieved a 71% conviction rate in corruption-related cases, demonstrating the effectiveness of strong evidence and proficient legal representation. Figures indicate a year-on-year rise in the number of vigilance interventions and arrests, along with increasingly stringent penalties. During this period, the Vigilance Department has made 94 arrests in 82 trap cases, including 13 gazetted officers. Of the 125 complaints received, 18 were general investigations, 25 were open investigations, and 82 were closed after inquiry.
In line with the Chief Minister's directives, the Vigilance Department has established a toll-free number, 1064, to facilitate the registration of complaints. Furthermore, CM Dhami has instructed departments not to assign officials under investigation to previous or significant roles until a final verdict is reached. He has also mandated the expedited processing of prosecution in trap cases.
The government's commitment extends to ensuring transparency and fairness in recruitment processes. The state cabinet has approved a stringent anti-copying law to prevent corruption in recruitment, which includes provisions for life imprisonment and asset confiscation for those found guilty. The Chief Minister has stressed the importance of engaging people's representatives, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens in the effort to eradicate corruption, emphasizing that it is everyone's moral obligation to ensure that Uttarakhand remains free of corruption and crime.
Recent cases highlighting the anti-corruption drive include the arrest of a PWD Assistant Engineer in Nainital for soliciting a bribe and a Junior Engineer from Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) in Dehradun for accepting ₹15,000. These actions underscore the government's proactive stance and determination to hold corrupt officials accountable.
