Punjab’s newly sworn-in Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced that his govt will launch an anti-corruption helpline on March 23rd, the day of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh’s martyrdom.
How will the helpline work?
Mann tweeted that the helpline number will be his personal WhatsApp number and the people can send information on that number to report corruption.
People can upload videos or audio clips of corrupt officials demanding bribe for their day to day work or indulging in other malpractices.
CM Mann said that he was not threatening any govt employee as 99% of them are honest but it is the remaining 1% who have hollowed out the system
Cue from the Delhi Model
When AAP came to power in Delhi in 2014, Avind Kejriwal had launched an anti-corruption helpline number 1031. People were encouraged to report call the number to report corruption either verbally or by sending audio or visual proof.
Kejriwal had said that officers of anti-corruption bureau would get in touch with complainant within 48 hours.
He had also said that call executive would assist the complainant in conducting sting operations.
Ending corruption has been a mainstay of AAP’s electoral promises
The helpline was re-launched in 2015 after AAP came to power again post Kerjiwal 49-day first stint.
While welcoming Mann's announcement, Kerjiwal said that during their first stint, his govt had sent 30-32 corrupt officials to jail.
However, few month after the helpline's re-launch then Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung scrapped the number following which Delhi's anti-corruption bureau issued their own numbers. The ACB claimed that the 1031 number that been scrapped because no calls were being received on the number launched by Delhi govt.