Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal revives anti-corruption helpline

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today launched an anti-graft helpline-1031, testing it with a 'mock call' against a food inspector, and 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 Aam Aadmi Party's ( AAP) 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 today at Talkatora stadium here in 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 will be jailed if we are found corrupt," Kejriwal said, adding that in five years, Delhi will be ranked among top five corruption-free cities in the world.

"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 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," Kejriwal said referring to the complaint on the gas pricing issue.

Attacking the central government, Kejriwal said, "As we took action against the corrupt, BJP at the Centre passed an order and curtailed the jurisdiction of Anti Corruption Branch (ACB). For 21 years ACB had power to investigate cases of corruption against central government employee."

Kejriwal asked all government officials to publicise the helpline number and allow mobile phone inside their officers.

A dedicated helpline for reporting cases of corruption was one of the major promises made by AAP in its manifesto for the Assembly elections this year.

Sisodia said that it was a historic day as Anna Hazare had launched his Janlokpal campaign on this day four years ago from Jantar Mantar.