ACB Holds Youth Parliaments, Vigilance Awareness Sessions in Baramulla and Poonch
Baramulla/Poonch, October 28: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, organised Youth Parliament sessions and vigilance awareness programmes at Government Degree Colleges in Baramulla and Poonch on Wednesday as part of Vigilance Awareness Week-2026, being observed under the national theme “Probity for Prosperity”.
The initiatives aimed to promote integrity, transparency, accountability and ethical conduct among students and public servants, with a particular focus on improving awareness of governance and public service delivery.
Baramulla Session Focuses on Transparency in Public Services
At Government Degree College Baramulla, the day-long programme was organised in the college auditorium, with special emphasis on the functioning of the Rural Development Department (RDD) and the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department (FCS&CA).
AIG Headquarters, ACB J&K, Javaid Hassan Bhat, JKPS, attended the programme along with senior ACB officers. Tariq Ahmad Zargar, retired JKAS officer and former Secretary of the Rural Development Department, was among the distinguished guests. Principal of Government Degree College Baramulla, Prof. (Dr.) Tasleema Banoo, District Informatics Officer Baramulla Iftikhar Ahmad, faculty members and representatives of degree colleges across North Kashmir also participated.
The programme witnessed the participation of around 100 officers and officials from the concerned departments, 200 students and faculty members, and 45 ACB personnel.
The proceedings began with welcome remarks by Superintendent of Police, ACB-BKB, Dr. Peerzada Aijaz Ahmad, JKPS, who outlined the objectives of Vigilance Awareness Week and highlighted the importance of ethical governance and public accountability.
A major component of the event was the Youth Parliament, in which 39 student participants, including the Speaker, deliberated on issues relating to transparency, accountability and the delivery of public services. The exercise provided students with an opportunity to understand parliamentary procedures, engage in constructive debate and develop informed perspectives on governance and public administration.
Two motions were taken up for discussion: the proposed Rural Development Works Transparency, Accountability and Public Funds Utilisation Bill, 2026, and the proposed Jammu and Kashmir Public Distribution System Transparency, Accessibility and Accountability Bill, 2026.
Following detailed deliberations, both motions and their accompanying resolutions were passed by majority vote, underscoring the participants' emphasis on responsible utilisation of public funds and transparent delivery of essential services.
An interactive Kahoot questionnaire session, featuring 32 questions on departmental functioning, anti-corruption measures, ethics and good governance, was also conducted. Around 196 students and officials participated in the exercise, which was moderated by Inspector Manzoor Ahmad and Assistant Executive Engineer Rayees Ahmad Mir of the ACB's BKB Branch.
Addressing the gathering, Tariq Ahmad Zargar shared his professional experience and highlighted the need to improve the efficiency of government departments through ethical conduct, accountability and a commitment to public service.
In his concluding remarks, AIG Headquarters Javaid Hassan Bhat stressed that integrity, transparency and principled decision-making were essential to strengthening public trust in government institutions. He called for a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, describing ethical governance as a key prerequisite for sustainable prosperity and inclusive development in Jammu and Kashmir.
Participants were presented with mementos and certificates of participation and appreciation in recognition of their involvement in the programme.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Deputy Superintendent of Police Fayaz Ahmad Dar of ACB-BKB, who acknowledged the contributions of the ACB leadership, guests, participating institutions, departmental officials and students.
Poonch Programme Engages Students on Vigilance and Ethical Governance
In Poonch, the ACB organised a similar day-long vigilance awareness programme and Youth Parliament at the multipurpose hall of Government Degree College Poonch, focusing on the Health, Tribal Affairs and Agriculture departments.
Senior Superintendent of Police, ACB PR Wing, Mamta Sharma, JKPS, attended the event along with other officers of the bureau. The distinguished guests included retired JKAS officer Shokat Hussain Kazmi, Vice-Principal of Government Degree College Poonch Dr. Wajahat Hussain Jafri, and faculty members Dr. Sarfaraz Mir, Dr. Amjad Ali Babar, Dr. Shamin Banday, Prof. Akram Hussain, Dr. Mussarat Jabin and Dr. Rubi Bhatti, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Poonch.
The programme drew around 450 students and faculty members, including female students, besides 15 ACB officers and officials.
The initiative sought to sensitise students to the importance of integrity, transparency and accountability in public administration, particularly in departments delivering essential services to citizens.
Through its Youth Parliament and awareness initiatives, the ACB aims to encourage young people to understand their role in promoting ethical governance and to strengthen public awareness of the importance of preventing corruption.
The bureau reiterated its commitment to expanding such outreach programmes across educational institutions and government departments throughout Jammu and Kashmir to foster a culture of honesty, transparency and accountability among students and public servants. ANB
