The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) organised a seminar titled “Vigilance: Strengthening Integrity and Good Governance” at its Head Office in Mumbai, part of the Vigilance Awareness Campaign 2026 running from August 17 to November 16 under the theme “Probity for Prosperity.”

Suresh N. Patel, former Central Vigilance Commissioner of India, attended as chief guest and delivered the keynote address, reinforcing NABARD’s push to strengthen institutional integrity and governance across its operations.

Senior officials including Deputy Managing Directors G S Rawat and Ajay K Sood, along with Chief Vigilance Officer U Dinesh Shanbhag, joined employees from Head Office, Regional Offices, Training Establishments, Subsidiaries and District Development Managers nationwide.

Shanbhag welcomed Patel, citing his extensive background in governance, public administration, banking and vigilance, and credited him for advancing transparency and accountability in public institutions.

Rawat, addressing the gathering, said vigilance must be viewed as a preventive tool rather than a purely punitive mechanism, and urged employees to participate actively in campaign activities that strengthen NABARD’s culture of probity. He said robust systems and procedures remain central to an effective preventive vigilance framework, a message that continues to strengthen the bank’s governance priorities.

In his keynote, Patel spoke on the role of vigilance in promoting ethical governance and building public trust. He addressed banking frauds, complaint-handling frameworks, and the need for prudent management of non-performing assets, alongside strict adherence to systems and stronger appraisal standards — measures he said strengthen accountability and good governance at financial institutions.

The seminar closed with NABARD reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability and ethical governance as it carries out its developmental mandate.