Despite the setback of a goon squad attacking AAP’s party office in Ghaziabad on Wednesday morning, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the evening delivered on yet another of his promise made at the inaugural speech at Ramlila Maidan. The Delhi CM launched the anti-corruption helpline number in the city, which, however, in its functioning would be different from the conventional helplines operating in the city and elsewhere.
In addition, Kejriwal expressed a desire to see the aam aadmi playing the role of an ‘anti-corruption inspector’, donning the mantle of both investigator and prosecutor to contain widespread dishonesty in public sphere. The proposed helpline, instead of registering a complaint against corruption, seeks to empower people by educating them on ways and means to fight bribery, including teaching them to conduct sting operations to gather evidence against bribe seekers.
‘Every citizen of Delhi will be a police inspector and an anti-corruption crusader. They can now use their mobile phones for taking photos and conducting audio and video recordings to catch officials who are asking for bribe,’ said Kejriwal launching the anti-graft helpline number. The helpline number (011-27357169) will be functional from 8 am to 10 pm from Thursday.
Kejriwal elaborated that the name and contact number of the person calling the helpline number will be noted. An official in the anti-corruption cell will then call the complainant to guide him for sting operation and the conversation will be recorded. The applicant will then be asked to submit the evidence in a pre-decided anti-corruption office which will take further action into the matter.
‘The idea behind the helpline is to strike fear in the minds of those who indulge in corruption and make them be way of common man. Anyone who is corrupt will be charged,’ added Kejriwal. He further said the government will come up with a four digit number soon which will be easier to remember.
‘We appeal to the users to report if they find any problem with the helpline number,’ said Kejriwal accepting the further scope of improvement. The pictures, video and audio recordings collected by the complainant could be used as evidence after verification of their credibility. ‘The caller will be informed about the office where the recordings to be submitted and his personal information shall be kept confidential,’ he added. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also training its volunteers to conduct sting operations, and report the difficulties people are facing in various government departments such as hospitals, schools and municipal corporations.
In addition, Kejriwal expressed a desire to see the aam aadmi playing the role of an ‘anti-corruption inspector’, donning the mantle of both investigator and prosecutor to contain widespread dishonesty in public sphere. The proposed helpline, instead of registering a complaint against corruption, seeks to empower people by educating them on ways and means to fight bribery, including teaching them to conduct sting operations to gather evidence against bribe seekers.
‘Every citizen of Delhi will be a police inspector and an anti-corruption crusader. They can now use their mobile phones for taking photos and conducting audio and video recordings to catch officials who are asking for bribe,’ said Kejriwal launching the anti-graft helpline number. The helpline number (011-27357169) will be functional from 8 am to 10 pm from Thursday.
Kejriwal elaborated that the name and contact number of the person calling the helpline number will be noted. An official in the anti-corruption cell will then call the complainant to guide him for sting operation and the conversation will be recorded. The applicant will then be asked to submit the evidence in a pre-decided anti-corruption office which will take further action into the matter.
‘The idea behind the helpline is to strike fear in the minds of those who indulge in corruption and make them be way of common man. Anyone who is corrupt will be charged,’ added Kejriwal. He further said the government will come up with a four digit number soon which will be easier to remember.
‘We appeal to the users to report if they find any problem with the helpline number,’ said Kejriwal accepting the further scope of improvement. The pictures, video and audio recordings collected by the complainant could be used as evidence after verification of their credibility. ‘The caller will be informed about the office where the recordings to be submitted and his personal information shall be kept confidential,’ he added. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also training its volunteers to conduct sting operations, and report the difficulties people are facing in various government departments such as hospitals, schools and municipal corporations.