Delhi Government Plans Major Administrative Reshuffle to Curb Corruption
The Delhi government is preparing for a significant administrative reshuffle, with approximately 60–70% of cadre and ex-cadre officials expected to be transferred. This includes DANICS officers, ad-hoc DANICS officers, Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), and other Grade-I officers who have been working in the same positions for over five years, according to sources.
The move follows directions from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to enhance transparency and curb corruption. A senior official stated, “The process has already been started and transfers are taking place. The CM strictly ordered that there is no place for corruption, laxity, or negligence at any level of governance.” Officers may be transferred within or outside their respective departments.
Recently, the government executed a reshuffle in the Finance and Accounts department, transferring 52 officers who had served at the same location for five years or more. This group included 23 Deputy Controllers of Accounts and 29 Senior Accounts Officers. Additionally, 19 Senior Accounts Officers were promoted to Deputy Controllers of Accounts based on performance.
An official explained, “Following the CM’s directions, the transfers and postings have been made purely on the basis of administrative requirements and with the objective of promoting integrity and transparency in the system.”
The Chief Minister has been actively monitoring bureaucratic functioning. In April, she conducted a surprise inspection at the Trade and Taxes department, where several senior officials were absent. She then ordered strict implementation of biometric attendance for all officials, including additional chief secretaries and secretaries. Show cause notices were issued to absent officials, and the department later transferred 162 officers and employees, including three Assistant Commissioners, who had been posted at the same location for over three years.
Furthermore, Gupta recommended to Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu the transfer of 39 doctors posted in Tihar and Mandoli jails for over five years. Some doctors have been in the same position since 2014, serving over 11 years. The proposal includes deploying around 35 new doctors, totaling approximately 74 transfers.
Sources indicate that departments have been directed to compile lists of officials posted in the same position for extended periods. An official noted, “Some staffers are posted in the same post because of health reasons or any important project, but the reshuffling has to be done every three years, especially those posted in finance and accounts dealing sections. More such transfers are expected in the coming months.”
Last month, the Delhi government also transferred over 50 IAS and DANICS officers.
