ACB starts toll-free number for corruption complaints

Home Minister Rajnikant Patel and DGP Amitabh Pathak at ACB headquarters in Ahmedabad. express photo

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Gujarat Police's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Tuesday launched a toll-free helpline number where people could lodge graft-related complaints against state government officials.
State's Home Minister Rajnikant Patel inaugurated the toll-free number (1800 233 44444), which would be operational 24x7, at a function at ACB headquarters in Ahmedabad.
ACB also announced it would open 12 new police stations to handle the rising number of corruption-related complaints.
ACB's special director Ashish Bhatia said, "We are starting 12 new ACB police stations in the state, including in border range that comprises Kutch and Banaskantha."
The ACB is also launching an advertisement campaign through short films, radio and hoardings to make people aware of redress mechanisms against corruption.
DGP Amitabh Pathak, who is also ACB's director, said, "The toll-free number and our other ad campaigns will be shown on television channels, local cable channels and multiplexes in the state before the screening of movies."
The agency has prepared two short films "Aapka ek kadam" (One step of yours) and "Bhrashtachar Mukt Gujarat" (Corruption-free Gujarat).
ACB officials said the agency had received approval to purchase land for the construction of its new headquarters, which has been operating out of an old bungalow in Shahibaug.
Meanwhile, the DGP said the maximum number of graft-related complaints so far this year were received against officials of the Home Department. "We have registered 27 corruption cases against the Home Department by May, the highest among state government departments this year. Officials were found collecting bribe for clearance of files, granting permission for land and settlements of cases with police stations and other agencies."

Original NEWS Source:- http://www.indianexpress.com/news/acb-starts-tollfree-number-for-corruption-complaints/1133941/