The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Taking the ‘sting’ out of graft

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Friday, Jul 11, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Taking the ‘sting’ out of graft

Staff Reporter

East Godavari Collector is ready to help the public with a crash course on how to operate a button camera and expose corrupt officials

Gopalakrishna Dwivedi

Kakinada: ‘Sting operations’ may no longer be the exclusive domain of the Fourth Estate in East Godavari district if Collector Gopalakrishna Dwivedi’s ambitious plan to catch corrupt officers on camera fructifies. He is asking the aggrieved public to come forward to expose the tainted officers with the help of a button camera to be provided by him, along with a sort of crash course on how to operate the gadget while giving bribes or other means of illegal gratification.

The Collector has got the sophisticated camera with him, but he has not yet received any specific complaint that could form the basis of the “cash on camera” kind of operation. Those wanting to avail of this unique opportunity to unmask the corrupt officers have to approach him (Collector) with a written complaint containing their full details —personal identities will be kept confidential — and the gist of the grievance. At the appointed time on a given date, the complainant has to walk into the chambers of the officer/employee and record (both audio and video) his/her deeds with the help of the spy camera which has 2 GB storage capacity.

Speaking to reporters at the Court Hall here on Thursday, Mr. Dwivedi said the hidden camera would have a deterrent effect on officers who might have the propensity to take bribes in return for discharging their bounden duties.

Strong evidence

The audio and visuals would be strong evidence of the misdeeds, from which the officers/employees cannot escape in the court of law. Cases would be booked against those caught on tape by the ACB or other law enforcing officers. However, this mechanism is susceptible to failure unless the people prepare themselves to act as spies, as only they can lure the corrupt officers into the trap.

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