Bhubaneswar, Aug. 11: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today said his government had zero tolerance towards corruption and had put in place a transparent structure to curb corruption in all spheres of life.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the diamond jubilee celebration of the Odisha Vigilance, Naveen stressed the importance of three Ts - Team work, Transparency and Technology - as the three basic constituents for ensuring people-friendly and good governance.

He emphasised the need for having a preventive vigilance mechanism at the block and district level to prevent and detect corrupt practices in implementation of development and welfare schemes.

Naveen appreciated the role of the state vigilance in fighting corruption and exhorted vigilance officers to constantly upgrade their knowledge and skills and use modern gadgets and technology to curb corruption.

On the occasion of the diamond jubilee of the state vigilance, the state government has instituted a commemorative medal for the uniformed personnel in the department in recognition of the good work done by them and also to enhance their professionalism, morale and motivation. Naveen also released the medal.

The chief minister released a souvenir titled "Resonance", which is the first of its kind and quite unique in the history of the vigilance organisation. Documenting the journey and activities of the six decades of the state vigilance, a short film on the evolution and activities of the organisation was also screened . Naveen also dedicated the revamped website of the department to the people of the state.

Finance minister Sashi Bhusan Behera appreciated the role of vigilance in fighting corruption and the performance of its commercial tax wing in detecting cases of tax evasion and collecting a significant amount of tax and penalty.

Chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi complimented the vigilance officers for their remarkable anti-corruption efforts and organising a series of public awareness and outreach programmes.

Director, vigilance, R.P. Sharma highlighted the responsibility of all administrative departments in curbing corruption through a strong internal and preventive vigilance mechanism and the crucial importance of enlisting public cooperation by the state vigilance in its fight against corruption. "The department has launched special drive in connection with irregularities in rural housing schemes. We have received over 1,000 complaints on the six dedicated telephone numbers that were issued earlier," he said.