AP is now the third least corrupt State, a vast improvement from the 16th position it held in 2016, and the Anti-corruption Bureau is making all efforts to prevent corruption further, said its Director General R.P. Thakur.
In 2018, ACB booked 146 cases, including 107 traps, 31 disproportionate assets and eight misconduct cases, Mr. Thakur explained at a press conference here on Wednesday.
ACB sleuths seized assets, worth about ₹54.72 crore (as per Sub-Registrar office value) in disproportionate asset cases and recovered ₹21.64 lakh bribe amount in traps.
Greater responsibility
With the State government withdrawing the general consent to the CBI, responsibility on ACB has increased, as the bureau officials were focussing on booking corrupt employees in Central government and public sector units too, Mr. Thakur said.
Explaining the important trap and disproportionate asset cases, the DG said the conviction rate has gone up to 57.57% in 2018, against 52.32% in the previous year. The ACB courts awarded punishment to the accused in 38 cases, he said.
Surprise checks
Focus was laid on surprise checks on transport check-posts, sub-registrar and other offices in the State, Mr. Thakur said more such raids would be conducted this year.
On facilities for the ACB police in the State, he said 13 own office buildings were constructed in less than a year and ₹1 crore has been spent for procuring vehicles.
“We are planning to provide more facilities to the staff to act swiftly on the complaints,” said the ACB chief and thanked the government for providing 350 additional staff of different cadres and funds to strengthen the department.
Toll-free number
Public are requested to alert ACB officials on toll-free No.1064, Whatsapp No.8333995858, e-mail: dg_acb@ap.gov.in and on Facebook as well as Twitter on corrupt officials, Mr. Thakur added.
ACB Additional Directors P. Hari Kumar and Shanka Brata Bagchi, OSD Abraham Lincoln, and SP Jagannath Reddy were among those present.
