The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday marked the completion of its 50 days in power in Delhi by relaunching the anti-corruption helpline no. 1031. The service, which can be used by people to lodge complaints if they are harassed for bribes by Government officials, was launched with the Chief Minister testing it with a “mock call” against a food inspector. Kejriwal had promised that in five years, Delhi will be ranked among top corruption-free cities in the world.
The anti-corruption helpline was first launched during AAP’s 49-day stint in power after the 2013 Assembly elections, but was later discontinued. Reviving the helpline was one of the major poll promises made by the party this year. Kejriwal launched the helpline at Talkatora Stadium on Sunday in the presence of his Cabinet colleagues, MlAs and a large number of AAP supporters and appealed the people to inform the Government about graft so that action can be taken against the guilty. “We will take action against our own Minister, MlAs if they are found corrupt. Even Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and I can be jailed if we are found corrupt,” Kejriwal 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,” Kejriwal said during the launch.
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 numbers because during their last term of 49 days, the party made headway to stem 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,” Kejriwal said, referring to the complaint on the gas pricing issue. Attacking the Central Government, Kejriwal said, “As we took action against the corrupt, the BJP at the Centre passed an order and curtailed the jurisdiction of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB). For 21 years, ACB had power to investigate cases of corruption against Central Government employees.”
Kejriwal asked all the Government officials to publicise the helpline number and allow mobile phones inside offices. A dedicated helpline for reporting cases of corruption was one of the major promises made by the AAP in its manifesto for Assembly elections this year. Sisodia said it was a historic day as Anna Hazare had launched his Jan lokpal campaign on this day four years ago at Jantar Mantar.