By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:The anti-corruption awareness campaign organised by the Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan (OSAA) received widespread support from the general public in the capital city of Bhubaneswar today. The campaign was organised with the objective of promoting transparency and accountability in the government system, creating public awareness against corruption, and strengthening citizens’ Right to Information.
As part of the campaign, OSAA is conducting peaceful and democratic awareness programmes from 05 October to 09 October 2026 at District Collectorate offices, Block headquarters and other prominent locations across various districts of the state.
In this context, today OSAA activist and members interacted with members of the public at various prominent locations in Bhubaneswar, including Lower PMG, Master Canteen, Bhubaneswar Railway Station, Rajmahal, the route to Lok Seva Bhawan, the Bus Stand, and other places across the city.
During the campaign, people were sensitised about corruption, administrative accountability, transparency in government functioning and the proper use of the Right to Information Act. Various questions, allegations and issues being raised publicly regarding the functioning of previous and present governments were also discussed on the basis of facts and records. Awareness leaflets were also distributed on the occasion.
During the campaign, OSAA activists directly interacted with citizens from different sections of society. Many citizens welcomed such public awareness initiatives against corruption and expressed their views on the need for greater transparency and accountability in the government system.
On the occasion, noted social and Right to Information activist Mr. Prakash Das expressed his views on the need for accountability regarding various questions and allegations being raised publicly concerning the two-and-a-half-year tenure of the present BJP government.
In particular, he stated that there is a need for the present government to publicly provide clear and fact-based information regarding the steps taken on various allegations and issues raised at different times concerning the tenure of the previous BJD government, including which allegations have been investigated and in which cases legal action has been taken. Questioning the government on what action has been taken on the allegations raised against the previous government, he criticised the government over the need for greater accountability.
Mr. Das said, “Irrespective of which government, political party or individual an allegation of corruption may concern, an impartial investigation, public disclosure of facts, and accountability in accordance with law are the fundamental requirements of a democracy.”
He further stated that the public must have access to truthful, impartial and evidence-based information regarding the use of public money, government resources and the administrative machinery.
OSAA stated that the fight against corruption is not a campaign against any particular political party or government. It is a public awareness initiative aimed at promoting transparency, good governance, accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights.
OSAA further stated that such campaigns will continue in the coming days to promote the use of the Right to Information Act as a democratic tool for bringing transparency into government functioning, creating awareness among citizens about obtaining government records and information, and strengthening the culture of accountability among the public.
Around 30,000 awareness leaflets will be distributed as part of the statewide campaign. People across different districts and at the block level will be encouraged to raise their voices democratically against corruption, make proper use of the Right to Information Act, and demand greater transparency and accountability in the government system.
OSAA clarified that the campaign will continue in a peaceful, democratic, impartial and fact-based manner. The primary objective of the campaign is not to target any particular government or political party, but to increase public awareness against corruption, lack of transparency and lack of accountability.
Today’s programme was attended by Mr. Prakash Das, Mr. Baghambar Pattnaik, Mr. Sudhir Mahanti, Mr. Hrudananda Kodamsingh, Mrs. Saumyaprabha Sahu, Mr. Simanchal Jena, Mr. Satyabrata Jena, along with more than 20 OSA activists and members.
