SHOPIAN, OCTOBER 27: The Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jammu & Kashmir (ACB), organised a day-long Vigilance Awareness Session and Youth Parliament as part of the observance of Vigilance Awareness Week-2026 at the Auditorium of Government Degree College, Shopian.
The programme was conducted under the national theme “Probity for Prosperity”, with a special focus on the Department of Health and the Department of Urban Local Bodies (ULB).
The session was attended by Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau, J&K, Shakti Kumar Pathak, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Shopian, Dr. Zakir Hussain Faaz; Principal, Government Degree College Shopian, Tariq Hussain Mir; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shopian, faculty members of GDC Shopian; and representatives from all Government Degree Colleges of South Kashmir, besdies senior officers of Anti-Corruption Bureau.
The session was also attended by Dr. Bashir Ahmad Shah, Retired Professor of Medicine, SKIMS, and Showkat Aijaz Bhat former Commissioner, State Taxes Department.
The event witnessed overwhelming participation, with approximately 160 officials from the concerned departments, 400 students and faculty members from 23 Government Degree Colleges of South Kashmir, Central University of Kashmir and the University of Kashmir, besides 50 officers and officials of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
The participating colleges included Government Degree Colleges of Kelam, D.H. Pora, Frisal, Qazigund, Boys Pulwama, Tral, Women Pulwama, Pampore, Rajpora, Awantipora, Shopian, Zainpora, Boys Anantnag, Women Anantnag, Kulgam, Dooru, Bijbehara, Utrasoo, Mattan, Kokernag, Vailoo, Pahalgam and Vrinag.
The Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau, J&K, Shakti Kumar Pathak, highlighted the critical need for integrity and probity in the functioning of government departments. He underscored that sustained transparency, ethical decision-making and zero tolerance towards corruption are essential for building public trust and achieving the larger goal of prosperity for the people of the Union Territory.
In his remarks, Mohammad Saleem Bhat, Superintendent of Police, ACB APKS, outlined the objectives of Vigilance Awareness Week-2026 and the importance of the theme “Probity for Prosperity”.
A special highlight of the programme was the Youth Parliament Session, in which 32 student interns and members, including the Speaker, deliberated upon critical issues of public importance.
The session also provided students with an opportunity to understand parliamentary procedures, gain public perspectives and express their views on informed motions, which were taken up for consideration including Quality Healthcare and Municipal Governance Bill, 2026”, along with the resolution titled “Ensuring Quality Healthcare through Transparency and Accountability” (relating to the Health Department); and “The Quality Healthcare and Municipal Governance Bill, 2026”, along with the resolution titled “Strengthening Local Governance for Clean, Green and Resilient Cities” (relating to Urban Local Bodies).
After detailed deliberations, both motions and the accompanying resolutions were put to vote and passed with a majority in favour, underscoring the collective commitment of the youth towards transparent, accountable and citizen-centric governance in the health and municipal sectors.
To further reinforce the message of integrity and vigilance, an interactive Kahoot Questionnaire Session (Audience Poll) was conducted, comprising 40 carefully framed questions on departmental working, anti-corruption, ethics and good governance.
The session witnessed enthusiastic participation from around 250 students and officials, making the learning process engaging and impactful.
The distinguished guest speakers, Dr. Bashir Ahmad Shah and Showkat Aijaz Bhat, also shared their rich professional experiences and offered valuable insights aimed at improving the functioning of government departments, emphasising ethical conduct, accountability and public service orientation.
At the conclusion of the programme, participants were presented with certificates of participation and appreciation by the Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau, J&K, in recognition of their active involvement and contribution to the Vigilance Awareness initiatives.
