AP govt to start helpline for people to report graft cases

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh government will soon launch a toll-free telephone line to enable people report corruption in its departments.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced this in response to complaints raised by some MLAs on corrupt practices in certain departments.

The MLAs, at a party workshop in Vijayawada on Tuesday, told the Chief Minister that the electricity department was not providing new connections or installing transformers without bribing the staff. This was causing undue hardship to people, they lamented.

Reacting to this, Naidu said they would soon open a toll-free telephone line through which people could lodge complaints of corruption in any department.

"I have a survey report on various departments. Revenue department tops the list in corruption with 44 per cent. In six months, I will totally cleanse the department and make it transparent," the Chief Minister added.

Meanwhile, Chandrababu expressed anguish over the growing indiscipline in the Telugu Desam Party.

"I don't say commitment has lessened in any way, but some sort of 'take it easy' attitude has set in (among leaders). Indiscipline has also increased in the party," the TDP national president said.

He also chided some leaders over their "bloated egos" and warned that any wrongdoing on their part would not be tolerated. Deputy Chief Minister N China Rajappa, TDP AP unit president K Kala Venkata Rao and other leaders attended.