NEW DELHI: Delhiites can now call a helpline to seek assistance in nabbing a government official or an organization seeking bribes for executing a public work or service in the capital.
Launching the service on Wednesday, chief minister Arvind Kejriwaldescribed it as a "helpline" that would help catch bribe-seekers and said it was not a "complaint number". The helpline would instruct the caller on how to conduct a sting operation by secretly recording the accused's demand (in audio or video) to create the 'first evidence', on the basis of which government's anti-corruption team will lay a trap to nab the offender red-handed.
Action will be taken within 24 hours of the first evidence being submitted to the state vigilance department, Kejriwal claimed. "This is an advisory number that will explain to you the way to hold a sting. But you cannot make a complaint on this number. The number, 011-27357169, will be active from 8am to 10pm," the CM said.
In the next few days, a four-digit number will be created for the helpline, making it easier for citizens to remember it. The service has been set up under the chief minister's office and all cases would be passed on to the vigilance department after evidence is submitted.
GC Dwivedi, addition commissioner of police in Delhi government's anti-corruption branch, said the service can be used by Delhiites faced with an illegal demand by a city government official or a member of any private organization involved in public services. This would include all officials of private schools (aided or unaided) and private hospitals if they seek money to get a task done.
"Even donations or grants given without a bill or receipt would amount to bribe," Dwivedi added.
This is the third major initiative announced by the AAP government within 12 days of coming to power. It had earlier subsidized power tariffs and made water supply (up to 700 litres a day) free for those having a regular water meter.
Kejriwal said the sting can be a mere audio recording but "first evidence" is an absolute must for the anti-corruption bureau team to lay a trap for the accused. "I appeal to the people of Delhi that we need to eradicate corruption together. If somebody asks you for a bribe, record the proceedings and bring it to the anti-corruption department," he said.
He said the department has not come out with any special plan to protect the complainant, but those who ask for it would be provided protection under existing rules. "The idea is to create fear among people involved in corrupt practices. I am confident that once our hoardings, advertisements and radio jingles giving details will be out, it shall curb the problem by up to 90 %. People would fear asking for bribe," the chief minister added.
Asked if the department was prepared to handle a surge in complaints, Kejriwal said several police teams have been put on stand by to tackle the situation. "We have worked on preparing a back-end which is why it took us longer than expected in launching the helpline. We are prepared for a surge. I know a lot of you (journalists) would make dummy calls tomorrow," Kejriwal responded with a grin.
Dwivedi too confirmed that he has enough teams to handle as many complaints that come in. "In case of emergency, we can always take assistance from Delhi police. However, for now, I feel we are quite prepared for the drive," he told TOI.
On how he would tackle cases where officials do not ask for a bribe but refuse to get a work done, Kejriwal said his government would soon come out with an effective public grievance system to address the issue of delay in execution of work.
He also said that in coming days he would review the working of the 181 helpline which was constituted in a rush without enough back-end work. "For now, I have allowed it for another three months. However, in the coming days I shall review it," he added.
Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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