Jammu, March 8: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday inaugurated the new Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Headquarters building at Sidhra in Jammu and the ACB APKS Branch at Awantipora, stating that the facilities symbolize the government’s firm commitment to transparency and a corruption-free Union Territory.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor said the two buildings are not merely structures of steel, glass and concrete but represent a strong declaration of transparency in public life and the resolve to eradicate corruption in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said Jammu and Kashmir currently stands at a pivotal juncture and that over the past five to six years transformative reforms have been introduced to make the system more transparent and oriented towards public service. According to him, the administrative machinery now works not for a select few but for every citizen across the Union Territory.
The Lieutenant Governor urged the Anti-Corruption Bureau to ensure that every decision, investigation and prosecution can withstand scrutiny in courts. He said the Bureau must effectively use the authority provided by the Constitution to expose injustice, eliminate corruption and strengthen public trust in institutions.
Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir no longer settles for mediocrity and now aspires for greater achievements. He added that people have developed a strong belief in a brighter future and that officers and staff of the Anti-Corruption Bureau share the responsibility of turning that vision into reality.
He also asked ACB officers to conduct a daily self-audit of their work to further strengthen the credibility the institution has earned over the years. Stressing the importance of coordination, the Lieutenant Governor said corruption in the modern interconnected world has no boundaries and information often remains scattered across different networks, making timely cooperation between agencies crucial for effective investigations.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasized the need for speedy investigations in corruption cases, observing that delayed justice not only deprives society of its due but also weakens the outcome of such cases. He called for developing a work culture that eliminates delays in delivering justice.
Highlighting the wider impact of corruption, Sinha said it is not merely a loss of public money but a crime that robs youth of opportunities, deprives families of security and inflicts injustice on vulnerable members of society. He said corruption is a direct assault on human lives and its consequences extend far beyond economic damage, affecting generations.
Meanwhile, the newly established APKS Branch at Awantipora will cater to the ACB Police Station Anantnag, which has jurisdiction over all districts of South Kashmir. The facility is expected to enhance operational efficiency and improve access for the public to register complaints and facilitate timely investigations.
Director Anti-Corruption Bureau Shakti Kumar Pathak briefed the gathering about the functioning of the Bureau and the key features of the newly constructed buildings, stating that the improved infrastructure will strengthen field-level vigilance and provide a better working environment.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, ADGP Headquarters M.K. Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Mandeep K. Bhandari, Commissioner Secretary GAD M. Raju, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, IGP Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Dr. Rakesh Minhas and other senior officials were present on the occasion.
