Delhi ACB Chief Meena launches new anti-corruption helpline, AAP dismisses move

New Delhi: Terming the anti-corruption helpline number launched by AAP government as “waste of public money”, Delhi ACB chief M K Meena on Thursday launched a new helpline, a move which was quickly overruled by the state government which said that its helpline, ‘1031’ “stands”. Meena, whose appointment as the ACB chief by the Lt Governor was rejected by the AAP government, appealed to people to report cases of corruption on the new number, operational from ACB’s office. “We have launched 24x7 helpline numbers (011-23812905 and 011-23812906) which will be operated by police personnel deployed at ACB from its office. [caption id=“attachment_2318318” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Delhi ACB chief MK Meena . IBNLive[/caption] “I also request citizens of this city, if they find any Delhi government employee taking bribe or involved in corruption case then they can directly report to us. We will take immediate action, and as police personnel are directly handling these calls, quick action under the law will be taken,” Meena told PTI. The move came a day after the officer accused the AAP government of not transferring calls received on 1031 to the agency for further action. However Delhi government claimed that Meena is not the ACB chief and is assigned to handle training and monitoring of under-trial cases “S S Yadav, IPS, is the Chief of ACB. Any decision regarding the ACB as its chief is to be taken by Yadav only,” the government said in its statement. It claimed that Meena was posted as ACB chief in an illegal manner at the behest of Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) to scuttle the anti-corruption drive of the Delhi government. Meena’s decision to start new anti-corruption helpline is a sheer case of impersonation against which government will take action, the statement said. “The anti-corruption helpline 1031 stands as the helpline for all anti-corruption complaints in Delhi. No other helpline is working for this purpose. “Any attempt to send out confusing statements on the anti-corruption helpline 1031 and statement on issuing new helpline numbers would be dealt with legally,” the government said. Meena has alleged that for the last one month no case had been transferred to the ACB by the helpline. As ACB is notified police station corruption related calls can be directly taken by them. “Money spent on inauguration and publicity of 1031 is waste and public have been misguided and cheated by the government,” Meena said. He also appealed people to stop making calls on 1031 as no action is being taken. “Many people might have called on the number but no action has been taken. So I request such people to call on the new helpline number. Even people can call on my office number 011-23815906 to report corruption cases,” he said. Reacting to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s allegation that Meena is illegally holding the charge of ACB Chief, he said, “He (Sisodia) is making a political comment. I am working as per authorised and legal way and will take action as per law.” Meena said that the new helpline is legal as ACB is notified police station and they can take public complaints directly. He claimed that he had told Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s advisor in a meeting to hand over the helpline’s operations to ACB. Meena has been backed by Delhi Police Commissioner, B S Bassi who said that the ACB Chief was a responsible officer. Meena has alleged that for the last one month no case had been transferred to the ACB by the helpline. As ACB is notified police station corruption related calls can be directly taken by them. “Money spent on inauguration and publicity of 1031 is waste and public have been misguided and cheated by the government,” Meena said. He also appealed people to stop making calls on 1031 as no action is being taken. “Many people might have called on the number but no action has been taken. So I request such people to call on the new helpline number. Even people can call on my office number 011-23815906 to report corruption cases,” he said. Reacting to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s allegation that Meena is illegally holding the charge of ACB Chief, he said, “He (Sisodia) is making a political comment. I am working as per authorised and legal way and will take action as per law.” Meena said that the new helpline is legal as ACB is notified police station and they can take public complaints directly. He claimed that he had told Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s advisor in a meeting to hand over the helpline’s operations to ACB. Meena has been backed by Delhi Police Commissioner, B S Bassi who said that the ACB Chief was a responsible officer. PTI