War on corruption: Jagan asks ACB to launch mobile app to curb graft

Amaravati: Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has asked Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to come up with a mobile application in line with the CVIGIL app maintained by the Election Commission within four weeks to fight graft in the state.

Jagan was chairing the Home Department review meeting at his camp office in Tadepalli on Wednesday.

"The state home department should focus mainly on four wings in the state to maintain the law & order situation - ACB, DISHA, Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) and increase in social media drives across the state," said the Chief Minister.

He also instructed the officials to increase the awareness of the ACB toll-free number (14400) and DISHA app among the people.

ACB to be strengthened in the state

Jagan instructed officials to develop an app specifically for ACB to curb corruption in the state. The app will be to ensure the complainants can record audio and video of the corruption activity directly on the app and report the same. He asked the officials to come up with an app by next month.

The CM has also directed officials to form one ACB police station at each Mandal. The complaints lodged on the app can be directed to the respective police stations to initiate action. Police stations will have a multi-function approach where corruption cases related to ACB, DISHA, and daily law order cases can be addressed. In addition, a designated ASP will also be stationed in these Mandals. They will report directly to the ACB.

"By setting up ACB, DISHA police stations at Mandal level, it will send out a strong message to the people that the government is focused on curbing corruption and crime against women," the CM, noted.

To verify the complaints, especially the audio and videos recorded, Jagan instructed officials to strengthen the Forensic labs. This will remove all hurdles and provide substantial evidence to make a case stronger.

"Re-emphasis on curbing corruption should be made louder across the state. Hence publicize the activities and the ACB helpdesk number 14400. Also, publicize the app amongst people. This way the corruption at the sub-registrar offices and MROs will be curbed," the CM reiterated.

Jagan said all corruption cases in the departments have to send to ACB and they would be heading the investigation.

SEB's work to curb illicit liquor and drug menace

The government has zero-tolerance for the sale and production of illicit liquor. Till March 2022, 8,675 accused have been arrested and over 1.94L liters of illicit liquor seized.

Under the NDPS, the SEB has seized over 29,900 kg of Ganja and destroyed over 3.45 lakh plants have been destroyed till March 2022. The police have booked 376 cases and booked 1003 accused in these cases. "To save the future generation from the drug menace, we should increase the vigil nearby all education institutions in the state," said the Chief Minister.

The CM has directed officials to identify these farmers before the sowing season and provide them with alternative seeds directly from the Rythu Barosa Kendras (RBKs) and counsel them periodically.

All the measures taken by the government will be publicized across the state to make it more familiar among people and to ensure that the work is implemented more effectively and efficiently. CM Jagan also said that these measures should be known to the people so that many more people come forward to report such cases, thus curbing the drug and corruption menace.

This is the first time the works under the home department were reviewed after minister Taneti Vanita and DGP Rajendranath Reddy took charge.