JAMMU, OCT 27: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday organised Youth Parliament sessions and vigilance awareness programmes in Shopian, Reasi and Rajouri, engaging students, government officials and educational institutions in discussions on ethical governance, public accountability and the prevention of corruption. Held as part of Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 under the theme “Probity for Prosperity,” the programmes focused on strengthening integrity in public administration and promoting transparency in the functioning of key government departments.
The district-level initiatives combined parliamentary-style debates, departmental discussions and interactive quizzes to encourage young people to understand governance processes, examine public service delivery and develop a stronger sense of civic responsibility. The programmes focused on the Health and Urban Local Bodies departments in Shopian, the Rural Development Department in Reasi and the Social Welfare Department in Rajouri.
At Government Degree College, Shopian, the ACB organised a day-long awareness programme and Youth Parliament session in the presence of ACB Director Shakti Kumar Pathak, and other senior officers. Dr Bashir Ahmad Shah, retired Professor of Medicine at SKIMS, and Showkat Aijaz Bhat, retired Commissioner of the State Taxes Department, attended as distinguished guests.
The programme was also attended by Principal Government Degree College Shopian Tariq Hussain Mir, the Additional Deputy Commissioner Shopian, the Chief Executive Officer Shopian, faculty members and representatives of educational institutions from across South Kashmir.
The event witnessed participation by approximately 160 officials from the concerned departments, 400 students and faculty members representing 23 Government Degree Colleges of South Kashmir, the Central University of Kashmir and the University of Kashmir, besides 50 officers and officials of the ACB.
The Youth Parliament emerged as a key feature of the programme, with 32 student interns and members, including the Speaker, participating in deliberations on healthcare accountability and municipal governance. Two motions addressed the need to ensure quality healthcare through transparency and accountability and strengthen local governance for clean, green and resilient cities. Both motions and their accompanying resolutions were put to vote and passed by a majority.
An interactive Kahoot questionnaire featuring 40 questions on departmental functioning, anti-corruption, ethics and good governance attracted around 250 students and officials. The sessions were moderated by ACB Inspector Bilal Ahmad.
Addressing the gathering, Director ACB Shakti Kumar Pathak emphasised that integrity, ethical decision-making and zero tolerance for corruption were essential to strengthening public trust and improving government service delivery. The distinguished guests also shared their professional experiences, highlighting the importance of accountability and public service orientation. Certificates of participation and appreciation were distributed among participants, while Senior Prosecuting Officer Umer Mansoor proposed the vote of thanks.
In Reasi, the ACB’s Udhampur-Reasi Branch organised a Youth Parliament session at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, focusing on the Rural Development Department and the importance of transparency in rural governance.
Padma Shri awardee and Sanskrit scholar Vishwa Murthi Shastri attended as the chief guest. Deputy Commissioner Kumar Abhishek, Senior Superintendent of Police Mukund Tibrewal, the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Additional District Development Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner Revenue and heads of educational institutions were among those present.
The programme brought together 50 officials from the concerned department, 10 Education Department officials and 25 ACB officers and officials.
Eighteen student interns and members, including the Speaker, participated in the Youth Parliament, deliberating on the objectives, provisions and significance of the VB-G RAM-G initiative, with emphasis on transparency, accountability and empowerment in rural governance. A Kahoot-based questionnaire featuring 20 questions engaged 200 participants.
Senior Prosecuting Officer Altaf Wahid moderated the proceedings, while Sunny Gupta, Superintendent of Police, ACB Udhampur-Reasi, delivered the vote of thanks.
In Rajouri, the Economic Offence Wing and Poonch-Rajouri Branch of the ACB held a similar programme at Government Postgraduate College, focusing on the functioning and governance of the Social Welfare Department.
The programme was attended by Dr Latif Mir, Vice-Principal of the college; Harpal Singh, District Programme Officer and ICDS official; Abdul Rahim, District Social Welfare Officer Rajouri; and Mamta Sharma Anand, SSP, ACB Poonch-Rajouri Branch. Deputy Superintendents of Police Shamsher Singh and Ashwani Angotra participated as speakers from the ACB.
The session saw participation from 50 officials of the concerned department, 200 Education Department officials and 23 ACB officers and officials.
Twenty student interns and members, including the Speaker, took part in the Youth Parliament, discussing public welfare initiatives, the principles of Jan Kalyan and Jan Vishwas — Pension Vyavastha Mein Pardarshita aur Jawabdehi, and the importance of transparency and accountability in social welfare administration.
A Kahoot questionnaire session featuring 23 questions engaged 62 participants. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Deputy Superintendent of Police Shamsher Singh.
The programmes across the three districts reflected the ACB’s emphasis on preventive vigilance and public engagement, particularly among young people, as an important component of building accountable institutions. By bringing students and public servants together to discuss departmental functioning and governance reforms, the Bureau sought to reinforce the message that integrity in public service is fundamental to effective administration and public welfare.
The ACB J&K reiterated its commitment to continuing awareness initiatives across educational institutions and government departments to foster a culture of honesty, transparency and accountability throughout the Union Territory.
