Transparency Intl, Local Circles launch tool to fight graft

The India chapter of global anti-corruption NGO Transparency International and Delhi-based social media firm Local Circles have jointly rolled out a web- and mobile-based platform for people to report, post pictures and videos of corrupt practices across country.
"We started with focusing on corruption in polity. Since 2009-10, we have been looking at reports by individuals. This platform with Local Circles will help us connect with masses and record their complaints," Transparency International India (TII) Executive Director Ashutosh Kumar Mishra told PTI.
TII would take up the complaints with the government authorities concerned. The Transparency International 2014 report ranks India at 85 among 175 countries on its corruption perception index.

"We will also follow up with authorities on action taken on the complaint filed. TII will also present reports compiled based on complaints to the authorities concerned for corrective action," Mishra said.
Local Circles is looking to form an online anti-corruption community at national, state and district levels, which can have people with valid reasons and relevance.
"We verify people joining Local Circles. If a person is resident of Lucknow, then he will be allowed to join Lucknow or UP community. A resident of Delhi will not be able to join Lucknow community. With this, we want people getting directly impacted to contribute sincerely to anti-corruption issues," Local Circles Chairman and CEO Sachin Taparia said.

"We are formally launching a mobile application on May 3. It will be available on Android and Apple's iOS platform. In the next two weeks, we will launch it on BlackBerry and Windows platforms. Besides reporting, people will be able to post pictures and videos of corrupt practices on the mobile app."

He said people may choose not to reveal their identity.
"It will be strictly kept confidential so that people don't get victimised if they register any complaint. People also have the option to reveal their original identity. All who care about building a Corruption Free India are invited to join the national circle called 'Fighting Corruption Together'," Taparia added.

Local Circles has some 7.5 registered users at present and claimed that the beta-version of mobile application has seen some good traction as of now.