Commemorating anti-corruption drive being held across the Valley, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) and Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), today jointly organized a workshop here on “Maintaining Integrity and Prevention of Corruption at Workplace”.During the event, an integrity pledge was administered by Registrar IUST, Professor Naseer Iqbal to the employees and students aiming to sensitize the employees and students of the University about the evil effects of corruption in the society.Vice Chancellor IUST, Professor Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, who was the chief guest on the occasion, congratulated the joint efforts of ACB and IUST in organizing highly relevant workshop."Even at the international level, it is not always the financial corruption that can corrupt a society but other fifty percent may be about undue favors, favoritism, moral dishonesty in simple affairs of daily lives which hamper our growth and socio-economic development especially in this part of the world, which ranks high in corruption indices," he maintained.Hoping the workshop would benefit the student community, SSP ACB South Kashmir, Mir Aftab Aalam shared his experiences from the field during his keynote address.
He informed the gathering about the working of ACB in eradicating the menace of corruption from the society.“From the last two years, we have shifted our focus to provide access to public over the digital platforms, where one is just seconds away from filing a complaint on the contact numbers given on our websites.”Enlightening the audience about the situation on ground, Joint Director Prosecution ACB, Gulshan Ahmad, spoke on how “rampant is the corruption in our society” and how it “degrades the morals of our society”. “For centuries, laws have been made to eradicate this menace but surprisingly the corruption rates are increasing”. He further pointed the necessity of requirement of certain “watchdogs” in every sector and departments, who can play a pragmatic affect in lessening the “polluted” sectors.Senior Prosecuting Officer, Farooq Shagoo, highlighted the vitality of roles for a public servant, which need “to be followed judiciously” without embezzlements of their powers, thereby promoting any illegality.Professor of Law KU, Professor Mohammad Hussain accentuated the responsibilities of educational institutions and other platforms including the role of public servants and teachers in coming together to fulfill the pledge in exterminating bribery. He stressed the importance of ethics in the society.The workshop was attended by Deans, HoDs, officers, faculty members and students from IUST besides ACB team.