Hours after assuming office as Delhi Vigilance Minister, Atishi on Monday directed the Chief Secretary to take action on complaints of bribery in Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) offices. The Minister, in a note to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, directed for forming a team of senior IAS and DANICS officers within a week who will visit the SDM offices. Atishi also instructed the Chief Secretary to personally visit at least five SDM offices and investigate the matter.

“I have rcceivcd multiple complaints during my public hearing that some Government officers in SDM offices arc asking people for bribes in lieu of facilitating their requests and applications regarding various certificates being issued by the Revenue Department. This is extremely shocking, sincc SDM offices are one of the nodal points through which the Government is providing sendees to the citizens. People come to SDM offices for very basic and nccessary documents like Incomc Certificate, Caste Certificate etc. Therefore, it is extremely shocking that the SDM offices providing such essential certificates and services, often to disadvantaged citizens, have become sites for corruption any unscrupulous transaction in these offices wall affect the most disadvantaged and marginalized people,” Atishi said in a note.

The minister directed the chief secretary, who is also the chief vigilance officer of the Delhi government, to furnish a detailed report within a week, detailing "irregularities" detected in SDM offices and the ways to curb them.

“The Chief Vigilance Officer should himself visit at least five SDM Offices and conduct a general examination of the functioning of these offices for existing procedures and practices which provide a scope for corruption,” the minister said in the note.