Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar on Thursday launched the Facebook and Twitter accounts of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
A first-of-its-kind in the government departments, it would help the general public lodge complaint against corrupt officials.
Mr. Dinesh Kumar, along with ACB Director-General (DG) R.P. Thakur, APSRTC managing director M. Malakondaiah, CID Additional DG Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, and Additional DG, Vigilance and Enforcement, A.R. Anuradha, launched the two social media accounts at the ACB headquarters.
Transparency
Mr. Dinesh Kumar said the State and Central governments were taking several measures to put a check on corruption and, as part of them, had vested more powers with the bureaucrats for maintaining transparency and accountability in government activities.
“Corruption exists both at the lower and higher levels, and we have to stop it. Linking of Aadhaar to various government schemes is giving good results. A lot of variation has been seen in the number of students taking mid-day meal in schools, the number of beneficiaries availing themselves of ration in fair price shops, and diversion of fertilizers, which has saved about ₹20,000 crore to the government,” he said.
‘A good sign’
“In about 40 cases, officials have returned the bribe amount through the ‘1100 Mega Call Centre’ (Parishkara Vedika) launched by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently. Though the amount is not big, it is a good sign, and the officers belong to various departments,” Mr. Dinesh Kumar said.
‘Gain tech edge’
Underlining the need to use technology to provide foolproof evidence against corrupt officers, he asked the ACB to expedite the investigation of pending cases and take steps for their speedy disposal in courts.
Mr. Thakur said people could make use of the Facebook and Twitter accounts, along with the WhatsApp account, for lodging complaints against the corrupt officers.
“The two-day State-level ACB meeting discussed pending cases, strategies to prevent corruption, strengthening legal processes, implementing the Benami Properties Act, maintaining liaison with Central Vigilance Commission, Central Bureau of Investigation, Vigilance and Enforcement, Income-Tax and other agencies,” he said.
