Acting on its ‘zero-tolerance policy’, against corruption, the Arvind Kejriwal Government on Tuesday decided to revive the anti-corruption helpline 1031 for people to lodge complaints if they are harassed for bribes.
Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to this effect. The revamped
anti-corruption helpline will help trap Government employees who demand bribes. The helpline will be operational in the next two weeks.
The Cabinet also discussed summer action plan for water and power, simplification of VAT taxation regarding tax credit system and other issues that figured in the 70-point agenda.
Addressing mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced that Delhi Government has decided to re-launch anti-corruption helpline for people to lodge complaints if they are harassed for bribes.
“As per our promise, we have decided to launch the anti-graft helpline a fortnight later. We appeal to people if anyone is asked to pay a bribe by any official in Delhi, he or she should record it and give it to us through anti-corruption helpline. We will take strict action against him or her,” he said.
AAP needs at least two weeks to set up infrastructure and train the staff for this helpline.
Sisodia claimed that the previous helpline was a huge hit and corruption levels had declined during AAP’s 49-day rule in the national Capital. “Helpline will guide and suggest ways to complainants on how to catch bribe takers red-handed. Every citizen will be an anti-corruption inspector. We will ask people to record anyone who asks for a
bribe. With evidence in hand, anyone who is corrupt will be charged,” he said.
The Government is yet to finalise manpower and a system for the helpline. The Deputy Chief Minister
said 15-day training will be provided to the staff of the helpline.
During his 49-day regime, Arvind Kejriwal had launched the anti-corruption helpline. According to AAP volunteers, the helpline was a hit with the general public and the call centre received a total of 23,000 calls in the first 36 hours of its launch.
The Cabinet has also deliberated simplification of the VAT system. In its poll manifesto, AAP had promised that Delhi would have the lowest VAT in India and would simplify other tax structures. It had also promised to put an end to raid culture and inspector raj in the Capital if voted to power.