Use Facebook to fight corruption in Odisha

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, May 27: The people of Odisha can now wage a war against corruption in the State administration by using Facebook.The Vigilance Department of Odisha Government has launched a Facebook page to receive complaints directly from people against bribe-seeking officials.Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Facebook page – www.facebook.com/odisha.vigilance – and a helpline number of the Vigilance Department here on Wednesday.The page will be a milestone achieved in curbing down corruption, Patnaik said.“The younger generation will be more involved now in fighting against corruption.In reporting bribery and corruption activities through the Facebook page, citizens can not only report crime but also narrate their positive experiences,” the Chief Minister observed.The information collected from the complaints, can be periodically monitored to be made available to public to make them aware about specific corruption challenges, Patnaik added.Director of the Vigilance Department K.B.Singh said people can also lodge complaints about corrupt officers on toll-free number 1064.The Department will conceal the identity of informers and complainants, who are required to type their secret information in the message box in the Facebook page, he added.The Department had registered 368 corruption cases in 2014 against 285 cases in 2013, according to official sources.