New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi today launched its renewed anti-corruption helpline, 1031, at the Talkatora Stadium.
The number would be operational Sunday onwards and help curb corruption in the city.
Speaking on the occasion, Kejriwal said that his government will use technology on a large-scale to make Delhi top five corruption-free cities in the world in 5 years.
The Chief Minister further said that there are no loopholes in the system and 'if tomorrow Manish Sisodia is found corrupt, he will go to jail'. "We will take action against our own minister, MLAs if they are found corrupt. Even Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and I will be jailed if we are found corrupt," he said.
"Now every citizen is an inspector. If anyone now demands a bribe then do not deny him. Pay him the amount and also record the conversation or make a sting video. People can complaint against officials and we will track them and take action against them," he added.
The helpline number can be used by people to lodge complaints if they are harassed for bribes by government officials.
Kejriwal told the gathering that people trusted the party and voted for it in large number because during their last term of 49 days, the party managed to being an end to corruption in the city.
"In 49 days we brought down corruption to 70 per cent. We registered an FIR against Mukesh Ambani and also named Veerappa Moily," the CM said.
Till last time, the anti-graft helpline number was able to cater only 25% of the calls that it received which almost counted to 1000 calls per day. However, as an improvisation on the same, the re-launched number will be able to cater around 10,000 calls per day.
Several executives have been trained to attend such calls and direct the caller on how to conduct sting operations. They have also been trained on categorizing the calls in two parts -- serious and non-serious.
It is learnt that executives operating the helpline will be kept secret and the operators will call back the residents duly to ascertain the details of their planned action.
The Delhi government has also strengthened its anti-corruption branch and increased the funding of the department for better investigation of corruption cases. The government has increased the budget of the anti-corruption branch to Rs 15 crore from Rs 8 crore. There will be 40 teams who will take part in investigations and raid.
