State Home and Vigilance Minister Ramesh Chennithala unveiled ‘Project Zero’, an anti-corruption initiative, with the goal of creating a corruption-free environment in Kerala. The project was introduced following a key meeting of top officials from the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in Thiruvananthapuram.
Chennithala emphasized the importance of public involvement in ‘Project Zero’, stating, “Together, let us build a corruption-free State. We will collaborate closely with the public.” He urged citizens to cooperate with vigilance authorities by providing information on corrupt practices, ensuring informants’ confidentiality and safety.
Highlighting the need for a corruption-free governance system, Chennithala stressed the project’s aim to eliminate the necessity of bribery for citizens to access services. He acknowledged the erosion of public trust due to prevalent corruption and emphasized the importance of changing this mindset through collective efforts.
The Minister outlined ‘Project Zero’ as a groundbreaking approach that prioritizes preventing corruption rather than solely reacting to it post-occurrence. He affirmed that the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau would monitor officials and public figures closely to deter corrupt activities effectively.
Chennithala also disclosed plans for a comprehensive revamp of the vigilance administration, including the complete overhaul of the outdated 1969 Vigilance Manual. He mentioned the ongoing revision of the manual and highlighted legal challenges, such as delays in corruption cases due to the requirement of prior sanction for prosecution under the amended Prevention of Corruption Act.
