Delhi govt’s anti-corruption helpline gets over 12,700 calls

The city government’s anti-corruption helpline re-launched by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday answered 12,731 calls in 24 hours.

The city government’s anti-corruption helpline re-launched by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday answered 12,731 calls in 24 hours.

Delhi-chief-minister-Arvind-Kejriwal-speaks-during-the-launch-of-the-anti-corruption-helpline-number-on-5-April-2015-PTI-Photo

Officials are now analysing the calls to segregate the real ones from the frivolous ones.

“Once segregation is complete, complaints that require action will be forwarded to the anti-corruption branch (ACB) for probe. The helpline functions on a 24x7 basis and will remain open all 365 days of the year,” said a Delhi government spokesperson.

According to government officials, some of the calls have already been forwarded to the ACB.

“Some of the cases include complaints against the Delhi Police, the MCD, the education department, the transport department, Delhi Jal Board and the Delhi fire department. Data of calls received and segregated will be made public on a regular basis for general convenience and information,” the spokesperson added.

The system is further being upgraded to ensure that no call made to the helpline number (1031) goes unanswered.

An executive will categorise a call into two parts- serious and non serious.

“The serious calls will further be categorised where callers will agree to conduct a sting operation and the departments will conduct raids.

The details will then be transferred to the ACB for initiating action,” said a senior Delhi government official.

The faces behind the helpline will be kept a secret. “Callers will be coached on how to trap those asking for bribe. Executives who will advise them are part of a separate cell and are trained in carrying out sting operations,” the official added.

Since a sting operation also requires behavioural training, experts will spend sufficient time with the callers.

“If a person is hesitant in conducting the sting operation, our staff will do it on their behalf. We have sufficient man power and technical equipment to do so,” he further said.