Vigilance Awareness Week

Observance of Vigilance Awareness Week every year during the last week of October is taken up to encourage all stakeholders to collectively participate in the prevention of, and the fight against corruption and to raise public awareness regarding the existence, causes and gravity of and the threat posed by corruption.

It is driven by the Central Vigilance Commission.

Central Vigilance Commission

The Central Vigilance Commission has the mandate under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 to fight corruption and to ensure integrity in public administration. It is charged with monitoring all vigilance activities under the Central Government and advising various authorities in Central Government and organizations under it, in planning, executing and reviewing their vigilance work in order to bring out systemic improvement in governance. In addition, the Commission with its out reach activities also endeavours to create awareness amongst the common man, especially the youth, towards the policy of achieving transparency, accountability and corruption free governance.

Theme for 2024

The 2023 Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed from 28 October to 3 November, 2024 with the theme "Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity".

Corruption can be defined as a dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority, either to obtain benefits to oneself or to some other person. It is a global phenomenon. affecting all strata of society in some way or the other. Corruption undermines political development, democracy. economic development, the environment, people s health and much more. It is. therefore. imperative that the public must be sensitised and motivated towards efforts at weeding out corruption.

Though punishment and penal actions delivered quickly are effective deterrents to corruption, a lot more may be achieved by inspiring the young generation to lead a life that combines righteousness and honesty.

Activities planned

The observance of the Vigilance Awareness Week would commence with the Integrity Pledge by public servants in the Ministries/Departments/Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)/Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and all other Organisations on 28 October, 2024 at 11.00 a.m. 

All Organisations have also been advised to conduct activities relevant to the theme both within and outside their respective organizations, and to conduct outreach activities for public/citizens as indicated below :

1. Promote epledge by visiting https://pledge.cvc.nic.in/
2. Conduct workshops/sensitization programmes for employees and other stakeholders on policies/procedures of the organization and on preventive vigilance measures.
3. Conduct various competition such as debates, quiz etc. for the employees and their families on issues relating to anti-corruption.
4. Promote the concept of e-Integrity Pledge by persons with whom the organization deals with.
5. Vigilance Study Circles may also conduct outreach and awareness programs.

Outreach activities for public/citizens

1. Undertake activities such as walkathons/ marathons / cyclathons etc., and organise street plays, public functions etc. which have visibility and mass appeal across all strata of society.
2. Display of hoardings, banners, posters and distribution of handouts etc. at prominent locations/places in offices/ field units and also at places with public interface (eg. branches of Banks, Petrol Pumps, Railway Stations, Airports etc.).
3. Organize grievance redressal camps for citizens/customers by organisations having customer oriented services/ activities. Similarly, vendor meets may be organised wherever necessary.
4. Extensive use may be made of social media platforms, bulk SMS/E-mail, Whatsapp, electronic and print media etc. for spreading awareness.
5. Creation of awareness of the ill-effects of corruption amongst school and college students. All organizations may encourage establishment of 'Integrity Clubs' in schools and colleges as children are the future assets of the country and it is important to cultivate moral values in them.
6. Organise Awareness in Gram Sabhas for dissemination of awareness in Gram Panchayats (in rural and semi-urban areas) to sensitise citizens on the ill-effects of corruption.
   • Organize meeting in Gram Panchayats inviting all stake holders like the Sarpanch, members of Gram Panchayat, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), workers of MGNREGA, farmers, students, and citizens. Head of Gram Sabha / Sarpanch or any dignitary could be requested to deliver lecture on theme of Anti-Corruption followed by discussion. Anti- Corruption message in vernacular languages can also be displayed at the meeting.
   • Organize competitions like quiz, cartoon, slogans painting, rangoli, posters and walkathon / marathon / cyclothon etc.
   • Organize Melas to give wide publicity to the produce/products of the SHGs as motivational tools for integrating them with awareness creation effort.
   • Organize evening Choupals / meetings in villages/panchayats during which short plays / nautankies / kalajathas/folk songs/puppet shows, etc., can be organized focusing on the theme of Anti-Corruption.

Source : Central Vigilance Commission