Bhubaneswar, Oct 27 (IANS): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday said a total of 503 public servants have been convicted and 137 dismissed from service in the state for corruption during the past five years.

"During the past five years, 503 public servants have been convicted by the vigilance courts and 137 have been dismissed from service on grounds of corruption, which is a major step towards cleansing public life," he said.

The chief minister, who was addressing a meeting on the occasion of vigilance week, said the conviction percentage in vigilance cases has reached a record 46 percent this year.

The state government has established as many as 15 special vigilance courts for expeditious trial of corruption related cases.

"Odisha is the first state in the country to enact the Special Courts Act towards achieving this goal. Under the aegis of this Act, two special courts have been established at Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. So far, 176 cases of corruption have been transferred to these special courts for expeditious trial and 20 accused persons holding high public offices have been convicted," Patnaik said.