Will make Delhi corruption-free city: Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi, April 6: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday vowed to make Delhi one of the five least corrupt cities in the world in the next five years besides taking steps to ease the process of doing business in the national capital.

Speaking at the launch of the government's anti-graft helpline at the Talkatora stadium here, Kejriwal said the Delhi government also plans to make extensive use of technology to make the city corruption-free.

"It is my promise that Delhi will be ranked among the five least corrupt cities in the world in the next five years. Our current ranking is above 80. Similarly, Delhi will be counted among the top five cities for ease of doing business. We have to take Delhi ahead and I cannot do it alone. I need support of everyone, especially youth," he said.

Kejriwal said his government was also working on making laws and rules simpler so that any loophole is not misused. He claimed that the people of Delhi re-elected AAP due to actions taken by the party during its 49-day rule in Delhi.

"It is because of our work in the 49 days that the public voted for us. During our previous government, we reduced the electricity rate, made water free and removed corruption and that is why people gave us the mandate this time. Even this year we have kept our electricity and water promise. Now, with the helpline, we will end corruption," he said.

"People who have met me during morning walks and other routine activities have given the feedback that they have started getting low electricity bills. Now residents of the city are happy.

Kejriwal: It is because of our work in the 49 days that the public voted for us

"When we proposed to give electricity subsidy, officers asked us from where we will get Rs 1,400 crore. But I feel if residents get happiness through this Rs 1,400 crore, then there can be no better utilisation of money."

"Soon water bills will also come down and many of you may even receive zero bills. Hum jo kehte hai woh karte hai. Hum jumle nahi chodte hai (We do what we promise. We don't do gimmick)," he said.

Kejriwal appealed to the people of other states to ask their respective governments to reduce electricity rates. "If AAP in Delhi can reduce electricity bill to half then every state can do," he said.

He also announced to give relief to those who have got increased water and electricity bills. "We have studied the old bills and are making plans to rectify them," he said.

Asking all the government employees to work with honesty, Kejriwal said, "If we do 100 jobs in a day, there will be some mistakes. So if there is a human error in the work of honest government employees, I will support them.

Our work is to encourage our employees than discouraging them. But if an officer is corrupt, then I will not spare him till the end."

PTI