Manish Sisodia hails AAP goverment’s anti-corruption drive

NEW DELHI: Deputy CM Manish Sisodia rates the anti-corruption drive, starting with the crackdown on the "transfer-posting industry", as a key achievement of the AAP government.

He claimed on Monday that the government's anti-corruption crusade had resulted in higher tax collection in the first 55 days of the current fiscal compared to last year. "We ended the raid culture and took proactive measures on tax collection, collecting Rs 2924 in the first 55 days. This was Rs 2088 crore for the same period last year."


"Earlier, being honest was about being brave. Today, honesty is becoming the norm and those still taking bribes are fast becoming a minority. We are focusing on attacking the root cause of corruption," he said.

"We will not allow anyone found taking a bribe to sit in a government office. As on date, 51 officers have been arrested for taking bribes," he added. As the minister in-charge of department of services, Sisodia said the "transfer-positing industry" was the root cause of corruption in government.

Meanwhile, speaking at the meeting, other ministers took potshots at the Centre. Sandeep Kumar, minister for women and child development, targeted former PM Manmohan Singh and Modi, saying that while one was in "silent mode", the other was constantly in "flight mode". He added: "Forget black money, now it is a big thing if the PM returns to the country."

This prompted transport minister Gopal Rai to refer to their government as one in "fight mode", making light of the continuous battle the government had engaged in with the Centre, Delhi Police, bureaucrats, media etc.

"When the Modi government was asked about its 100 days in power, the PM referred to it as the honeymoon period. However, we have worked even in our honeymoon period. We are in work mode too. Others are creating grounds for fights," the minister said.

The ministers also made important announcements, ranging from changes in the education system to improvement in transport. "The DTC fleet will be increased by 1,880 buses by the end of this year, including 500 mini buses for which the procurement process has started.

The government has plans to procure 10,000 DTC and cluster buses for which we are in touch with DDA to provide land for depots," said Rai.

Home minister Satyendar Jain announced that he had written to the LG in the morning, asking for 4,000 home guards who are currently posted with Delhi Police to be returned to the government for placing in buses as marshals.