Dimapur, Nov. 2: “Anti-corruption efforts must try to limit the opportunities for corruption and raise the benefits of being honest and the cost of being corrupt,” said Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta while addressing the inaugural function of the vigilance awareness week here yesterday.

Datta added the root cause of corruption is the abuse of privilege of office for private gains.

“Widespread corruption is a symptom of a poorly functional state which undermines its economic growth,” the Governor said. He added, “The price of corruption is retardation of economic growth, which leads to poverty and backwardness.”

The Governor was of the opinion that corruption was also affecting the quality of public services and snapping the moral and spiritual fabric of society.

Pointing out that the success of anti-corruption measures depends on the willingness of political leaders to bear the cost of change, he said reformation of civil services by reducing red tape and discretionary powers, increasing accountability, empowerment of the people, better auditing and monitoring, freedom of the press and enlightening political opposition should minimise corruption.

The Governor also expressed confidence that the vigilance week would create adequate awareness among public servants about the degenerative effects of corrupt politics and the cost it imposes on society.

Nagaland chief minister S.C. Jamir, who also spoke on the occasion, said the state Vigilance Commission, which was set up in 1975, has made notable achievements ever since its inception.

He cited the detection of fraudulent pensions and medical advances to the tune of Rs 12 crore as an example. He expressed the hope that the vigilance department would re-dedicate itself towards elimination of corruption in Nagaland.

Infant feeding: Every state in the Northeast has been advised to adopt a policy on infant and child feeding with special focus on breastfeeding and maternity care. This was one of the recommendations accepted at the regional planning meeting on infant and young child feeding for northeastern states held here recently, says our Guwahati reporter. The meeting, inaugurated by health minister Bhumidhar Barman recently, was organised by the Breast Feeding Promotion Network of India, Assam branch in collaboration with the state government.