New Delhi: In a fresh twist to the tussle between Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and the Aam Aadmi Party government in the national capital, the Delhi Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) scrapped the '1031' anti-corruption helpline on Thursday, leading to the Arvind Kejriwal-led government issuing a statement against the order.
After scrapping the 1031 helpline, Delhi ACB issued fresh numbers — 011-23812905, 011-23812906 as the new anti-corruption helpline number.
Confirming this, Delhi ACB Chief MK Meena told ANI, "We've observed from past one month that no calls are being received on Anti Corruption helpline no 1031 issued by Delhi government."
"People were calling but calls were not directed to our office. (So we) have decided to issue new helpline numbers which will be received by our office," Meena added.
The Delhi government, however, came down hard on ACB's directive and issued a statement quashing the order, thereby refusing to accept Meena as Delhi's ACB chief.
ANI quoted the Delhi government's statement as saying — “The Government of NCT of Delhi once again puts on record that Mr Mukesh Kumar Meena, IPS, is not the ACB Chief. He is just assigned to look after the work of training and monitoring of under-trial cases at ACB. Mr SS Yadav, IPS, is the Chief of ACB. Any decision regarding the ACB as its Chief is to be taken by Mr Yadav only. Mr Meena's statement on helpline is sheer case of impersonation & the Delhi Govt will take action for the same against him. Mr Meena, was posted at ACB in an illegal manner at the behest of PM to scuttle the anti-corruption drive of Delhi Government. Anti-corruption helpline 1031 stands as helpline for all anti-corruption complaints. No other helpline is working for this purpose. Any attempt to send out confusing statements on helpline 1031 & statement on issuing new helpline number will be dealt with legally.”
After AAP's election victory this February, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had re-launched the anti-corruption helpline number 1031 which he had first started during his party's infamous 49-day-tenure in 2013.
The helpline was supposed to help Delhiites register complaints if faced by a government officer demanding bribes for getting any work done.
