Chandigarh, 27 October 2026: In alignment with the nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Central Vigilance Commission, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) will actively observe Vigilance Awareness Week from October 26 to November 1, 2026 in the state under the theme ‘Probity for Prosperity’. Vigilance Awareness Week is observed every year during the week in which the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (31st October) falls. To observe the week with integrity and transparency, all the VB personnel today undertook a solemn pledge in a unified stand against corruption during a function at VB headquarters at Mohali.
The integrity pledge was administered to the VB officers and officials by Swarandeep Singh, JD IVC &SU, in the presence of Dr. Sharad Satya Chauhan, Special DGP cum Chief Director Vigilance Bureau, Prabhjot Kaur and Deyama Harish Kumar Omprakash, (Both Joint Directors) and Harpreet Singh, DIG, Economic Offences Wing.
Dr. Sharad Satya Chauhan, Special DGP cum Chief Director Vigilance Bureau Punjab elaborated today that the primary objective of this week-long campaign is to sensitize and empower citizens regarding their pivotal role assist the Bureau’s concerted and multi-faceted initiatives aimed at eradicating corruption from public offices.
The observance would be conducted under the resonant theme, “ Probity for Prosperity,” underscoring transparency, ethical conduct, and institutional integrity serve as the fundamental bedrocks of sustainable economic growth and public prosperity.
To ensure widespread engagement, he informed that all Senior Superintendents of Police across VB Ranges have been directed to orchestrate outreach events in every district in rural and urban areas. Officials are advised to maintain an open-door policy and actively meet with citizens. Interacting openly with the public is vital for gathering grassroots intelligence regarding ongoing malpractices, enabling the bureau to take swift punitive action.
“A key focus will be to amplify the reach of the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line (ACAL) via WhatsApp at 9501200200,” he added. This dedicated platform, launched by the Punjab Government in March 2022, enables citizens to confidentially lodge complaints with audio-video messages pertaining to corruption.
He added that in a demonstration of their resolve, all officers and officials of the VB have also collectively undertaken a solemn Integrity pledge on Tuesday across all district headquarters. He asked all officials to obey this pledge of integrity and confidentiality in letter and spirit throughout their professional and personal lives. He directed the officers to maintain strict confidentiality regarding official records.
He further informed that as a part of the comprehensive public awareness drive, banners would be prominently displayed at key public spaces to aware the public about the anti-corruption drive. These banners would feature the contact details of designated vigilance officers, providing citizens with direct channels to report grievances and bolstering transparency in the anti-corruption drive.
He added that complementing these efforts, VB Range Officers would curate seminars and workshops in educational institutions, and other prominent public places inviting distinguished personalities to foster dialogues on integrity and ethics. They have also been instructed to forge synergies with various departmental offices across their respective districts to proliferate the message of vigilance and probity.
He also appealed to the public to cooperate with the government and the VB in its anti-corruption campaign to ensure a corruption-free administration in the state, stating that its elimination relies heavily on the collective will of the people. Citizens are being urged to immediately report any demands for bribes or illicit favors through the ‘Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line’ portal. He assured the public that perpetrators would face prompt arrest and rigorous legal action, emphasizing that a zero-tolerance policy would be maintained and nobody would be spared if found indulging in corrupt practices and misappropriations.
Continuing its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, the VB has registered 1118 corruption cases from March 2022 to 30 September 2026. He added that during the investigation of these cases, a total of 1156 accused individuals have been arrested.