Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir today stands at a pivotal juncture, “with the past five to six years witnessing transformative changes that have made the governance system more transparent and firmly oriented towards public service”, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) headquarters building at Sidhra in Jammu and the ACB APKS branch, Awantipora, Sinha said these two buildings are not merely structures of steel, glass, and concrete, but they stand as a bold declaration of transparency in public life and a corruption-free Union Territory.
“Today, J&K stands at a pivotal juncture. Over the past 5-6 years, we have ushered in transformative changes, rendering the system transparent and dedicating it to public service. Entire machinery now operates not for the benefit of a select few, but for every individual across UT,” the LG said.
He said J&K no longer settles for mediocrity or the ordinary.
“It now dares to dream big. Among our people, a firm belief has taken root that a golden future lies ahead. Fulfilling this vision is also the responsibility of the officers and staff at the Anti-Corruption Bureau,” he said.
The LG urged the ACB to ensure that each decision, investigation and prosecution stands firm under scrutiny of the courts and must harness the authority granted by the nation’s Constitution to expose injustice, eradicate corruption entirely, and earn the trust of the people.
The LG also highlighted that the speed of project execution has accelerated significantly over the past few years. “Revolutionary progress in industry, infrastructure, agriculture, self-employment, health, power, and rural development across nearly every sector stemmed from a transparent and accountable governance model,” he said.
The LG asked the Anti-Corruption Bureau officers to conduct a daily self-audit of their work to strengthen the hard-earned credibility.
“Your efforts should thrive on maximum collaboration. In today’s interconnected world, corruption knows no borders, and data scatters across various networks. Information held by one agency might form the crucial final piece in another’s probe, so genuine and timely cooperation is essential wherever needed,” the LG said.
The LG also called for a speedy investigation, observing that delayed justice does not merely deny society its due but it actively undermines outcomes in corruption cases. He stressed on cultivating a work culture that eliminates all delays in delivering justice.
The LG said that corruption is not merely a loss of public money but it is the opportunity stolen from youth, it is the security snatched from a family, it is the injustice inflicted on an elderly member of society.
“We must recognize that corruption is no abstract offense committed solely against the public exchequer but a direct assault on the lives of living human beings. The ill effects of corruption extend far beyond economic damage; it scars the lives of multiple generations. We must work together to build a corruption-free J&K,” the LG said.
The newly established APKS Branch at Awantipora will cater to the ACB Police Station Anantnag, which has jurisdiction over all districts of south Kashmir. The facility is expected to enhance operational efficiency, improve accessibility, and facilitate the timely handling of complaints and investigations in the region.
Shakti Kumar Pathak, Director, Anti Corruption Bureau, briefed about the functioning of the Bureau and the salient features of the newly constructed buildings. He highlighted that the enhanced infrastructure will provide a conducive working environment and strengthen field-level vigilance operations.
LG interacts with youth from Ladakh visiting Jammu
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday interacted with the youth from Ladakh visiting Jammu and encouraged them to learn from diverse cultures and contribute positively to society, an official spokesman said.
The group of 30 students representing diverse regions of Ladakh, including Nubra, Kargil, Leh, Lamayuru, Shang, Nyoma, and Zanskar, is participating in the National Integration Tour, the spokesman said.
He said the tour was organised as part of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s (ABVP) “Students’ Experience in Regional Understanding (SERU) – Rashtriya Ekatmata Yatra 2026”.
During the interaction at the Lok Bhavan, the LG welcomed the youth and encouraged them to learn from diverse cultures and experiences.
He said programmes like SERU are instrumental in strengthening the spirit of national unity and fostering mutual understanding among youth from different parts of the country.
The youth also shared the experience and exposure they gained during the SERU programme, the spokesman said.
Organised by ABVP in collaboration with the Vidhyarthi Ceva Educational Trust and SEIL, the tour provides youth with educational and cultural exposure across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
