Days before launching its new helpline, the Delhi Government has decided to double the strength of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) and its budgetary allocation, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Wednesday.
Mr. Sisodia said the Delhi Dialogue Commission was studying the best anti-graft practices the world over for their incoporation into the ACB as and when necessary. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to launch the new helpline – 1031 – at an event to be held at the Talkatora stadium on April 5.
The relaunch of the helpline, Mr. Sisodia said, was aimed at making the public aware of the facility being provided to them for reporting incidents of corruption they encounter in their daily lives in dealing with government officials.
“Our aim is to strengthen the ACB. So we are doubling its strength. Now there will be 40 inspectors who will work in 40 teams at any point of time to investigate cases of corruption. We have also increased the number of other senior officers in the teams,” Mr. Sisodia said.
According to a senior government official, the ACB earlier functioned with 30 inspectors. Apart from increasing its manpower, Mr. Sisodia said, the government had directed the departments to increase the budgetary allocation to the anti-graft wing.
This, he said, had been decided to be increased from Rs. 8 crore to Rs. 16 crore. Special training, to equip officials to deal with corrupton cases in the Capital, was also being provided.
“During our last term of 49 days, the people got relief from corruption and we believe that after April 5, we will be able to deliver the same,” said Mr. Sisodia.
“The DDC is an advisory body which will conduct a study of successful and effective global practices and their implementation. The DDC will also decide on overall structure and functioning of the ACB,” Mr. Sisodia added.
According to the official, the helpline received over one lakh calls during the AAP’s previous term. Most of the complaints were against Delhi Police personnel.
This time, the government hopes that the relaunch would mark the beginning of the improved anti-corruption infrastructure in the Capital.
The Chief Minister is scheduled to launch new helpline – 1031 – at an event to be held at the Talkatora Stadium on April 5
Published - April 02, 2015 12:00 am IST
