Chennai: Corruption being a universal problem must be fought by all, said senior IAS officer U. Sagayam who had made waves battling bribes during his stint as Madurai collector during the previous DMK regime.
It is neither proper nor useful to blame only poliÂticians and bureaucrats for the corruption in the couÂnÂtry while absolving citizens of their responsibility in conÂtrolling it, he said, while launching an anti-corruption call centre, ‘SattapaÂncÂhÂayat’ in the city on SatuÂrdÂay.
“Bribe-givers are as much responsible for corruption as the receivers. In most cases, it is the citizen who is the bribe-giver. Call it a facilitation fee or anything else, a bribe is a bribe,” SagaÂyam said. He inaugurated the online facility of the call centre, www.http://sattapanchayat.org/ started by a group of youth from different districts of Tamil Nadu.
According to volunteers of the Satta panchayat call centre (7667-100-100) they would receive calls from the public and guide them to access government services without any hassles.
“In case of complaints by people about officials asking for bribes, we would assist thÂem to receive the service by meeting the officials concerned. To start with, the call centre will function from 10 am to 5 pm for six days a weÂek except Sunday. We will imÂprÂove the service to seven daÂys and 24 hours shortly,” said Siva Elango, who heads the call centre initiative.
Satta panchayat forum volunteers said they would act as a bridge between people and experts, retired officials whÂo would explain procedures in applying for ration card, patta and other govÂernÂmÂent documents without grÂeÂÂasing the palms of corrupt offÂicials.
“We will organise awareness meets twice a month in various places across the state. We also need volunteers to help us with the functioning of the call centre,” said Senthil Arumugam, secretary of the forum.
