29 December,2014 02:36 PM IST | | Agencies
Maharashtra ACB will soon be just a click away as the anti-corruption watchdog is preparing its own mobile application, aimed at bringing itself more closer to people
Mumbai: Maharashtra anti-corruption bureau (ACB) will soon be just a click away as the anti-corruption watchdog is preparing its own mobile application, aimed at bringing itself more closer to people.
"We are working on to launch a mobile application shortly. It is under preparation," Maharashtra ACB director Pravin Dixit said.
"Through this mobile application, a victim can submit video, audio and digital files with just a click," the IPS officer said.
The purpose of having a mobile application is that the common people, especially tech-savvy folks, can have easy access to the Maha ACB, which has so far this year arrested as many as 1,661 corrupt government officials and their mediators this year, a 117 per cent surge as compared to the previous year, the ACB says.
"It (the application) will hopefully reduce the gap significantly between the victims and the ACB officials," he added.
Riding high on its successful traps so far, the ACB is leaving no stone unturned to be able to reach to common man by aptly tapping the innovating and revolving technology, said another officer.
The application, if launched will have information about the ACB's presently existing Toll Free number - 1064, its Facebook account link, names and numbers of some officers among others.
"In the current networked society, if the way of functioning of a public serving office is not upgraded with the technology, one cannot serve the public effectively," said the officer on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to media.
Earlier, Maharashtra ACB stood first in the country by starting to post photographs of the arrested accused and their case details on Facebook, a widely used social networking site.
Apart from tapping technology, the ACB sleuths are putting their best efforts to mark their presence at gathering points. "Our sleuths are also visiting large gatherings to promote the facilities offered to the citizens by the ACB. We have also deployed our men at the places known for corrupt dealings to curb the menace," Dixit said.
"We are making all efforts to ensure that the amount a complainant is required to pay to bribe during our trap is refunded to them from the government treasury on top priority. The government has initiated special steps to refund the money without much delay," he said.
In 2013, as many as 764 corrupt public servants and their associates were held in 574 traps, the ACB data says.
Like last year, the maximum number of officials trapped by the Bureau in 2014 was from the Revenue Department followed by Police Department. A total 419 personnel from the Revenue Department were apprehended in 319 traps while 408 staff members from the Police Department were caught accepting bribe in 292 cases.
