Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday claimed corruption had come down to "70-80 per cent" after the Aam Aadmi Party came to power and cited how his daughter found out that officials were now wary of taking bribe when she went to get her driving license.
"I will not say that we have completely ended corruption in Delhi but it has come down to 70-80 per cent," Kejriwal said while addressing auto rickshaw drivers at a public meeting in Burari in Outer Delhi.
Fighting corruption was a major poll plank of the party. On April 5, the AAP government re-launched its anti-corruption helpline 1031 and asked people to send sting videos of corrupt officials. The helpline has received over 1.25 lakh calls.
Striking a personal note, Kejriwal narrated his daughter's experience of applying for a learner's driving license and how she tried to find out if officials can be lured into taking bribe. "My daughter went to get her learner's driving license. I could have called the department and officers could have made it for me. But my daughter went to the office and waited for her turn. She told the officer (without revealing her identity) that she is not carrying one of the certificateswhich were required and the officer declined to make herlicense," he said.
"She further tried to bribe him by offering money. As she offered money this officer started noticing her phone if she was making a video. My daughter insisted that it was urgent and she was ready to pay any amount but the officer refused it," Kejriwal said.
The CM told the gathering that after a few minutes, his daughter returned to the officer and gave him her documents. "The officer after reading her name and my name in father's section asked her if she was daughter of the chief minister of Delhi and then entire department came forward to make her license.”
"This shows the level of corruption has come down in the city. Even auto drivers have given me feedback. Corrupt officers are afraid while the honest officers are moving fearlessly," Kejriwal said.
He also asked auto drivers to work honestly and serve the people of the city.
"It is your responsibility to do public service. You have to work with honesty. Recently, the DTC people went on a two-day strike. Most of the auto drivers were over-charging then. Do not take undue advantage when people are in crisis.”
"If you serve your passengers with honesty, then they will stand by you and ask for a hike in your fare. I will take care of your children, if you promise to serve the people of this city," Kejriwal said.
Image: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal with his daughter Harshita
