Articulate, affable and action-oriented, Aditi Singh is an IAS officer that should become a role model of all administrators across the country. Born to an IAS officer (1970 batch, UP cadre), Late Shri DP Singh, who retired as Secretary, Government of India, Aditi says she was no stranger to the aura around bureaucracy. And that helped her to realize the fact that the key principle of being in the Indian Administrative Service is to serve people, she tells Pooja Rai in an exclusive conversation with Bureaucrats India.

Her spirit of service and good governance is visible and it is no surprise that Hapur, the fifth district in Uttar Pradesh that Aditi is currently serving as District Magistrate, has performed exceptionally well on parameters of governance. For instance, proudly shares Aditi, “In July and August this year, Hapur has been ranked as number one district in Integrated Grievance Redressal System or IGRS.” And this is not the first time. In January also, Hapur topped the list of districts on IGRS, and before that in 2019 it secured the first position in January, May, October, November and December. In e District program, Hapur secured first rank in February, March, April, May, June and August in 2020, while in 2019 it topped the list of districts in all months except March and October, when it secured second position. 

“I am glad we are able to make the system more robust, transparent and efficient with the use of technology. Thanks to the team efforts, we have consistently been toppers in the district ranking programs done by the Program Implementation Department of the UP Government,” Aditi, the 2009 batch Indian Administrative Service officer avers. 

Her list of accolades doesn’t end here. in 2019-20, Hapur has topped the state in revenue collections in Hydel and Cooperative departments. “I am happy to share that Hapur has regularly ranked first in UP in development agenda rankings as well, which is issued by program implementation department of state government. I have a bright team of officers, who make this happen.” says the modest officer. It is this penchant for good administration that has earned Aditi coveted posts in her 11 years of service. Prior to Hapur, Aditi has served as District Magistrates in four other districts - Pilibhit, Rae Bareli, Sultanpur and Unnao. She has been a DM since 2013.

A popular DM wherever she has gone, people have some great stories to recall about her acumen. In Hapur, during the peak of anti CAA stir, when the protestors were getting out of control, she reached at the spot and started addressing them with a couplet from Akbar Allahabadi - ḳhudā se maañg jo kuchh māñgnā hai ai ‘akbar’, yahī vo dar hai ki zillat nahīñ savāl ke baad.” What’s best, and people recall with pride that she addressed the crowd standing on a wooden vegetable cart since that’s the only thing she could find in that situation on the road to let thousands of people see her while she spoke to them! That’s a remarkable ability to respond to a situation with alacrity.

Aditi recalls, “Maintenance of law and order is a critical component of administrative work. I was posted here following the large scale violence in district on 2 April, 2018. Till date there has been no major outbreak of caste or communal violence in spite of challenging situations through regular and effective dialogue with all groups and proactive resolution of their grievances. During anti-CAA protests, while adjoining districts and states witnessed violence, district remained peaceful through active and open communication with all communities and providing ventilation of their grievances.”

Aditi is a firm votary of timely redressal of grievances. “People come to us with lot of hope, and the least we can do is to hear it patiently and ensure timely justice. Also, often people ask me as to what are my priorities and I have little hesitation in saying that people’s priorities are mine.”

Aditi has been at the forefront of Covid management in the district and ensured all-round work to contain and mitigate the impact of the pandemic. “As on September 16, we have 339 active cases. We have managed to substantially ramp up our facilities and today we have a capacity of 1800 beds which includes three hospitals and four dedicated Covid care centres.” Adjacent to her office is the 24x7 Covid Control room that is managed by a team of doctors, police personnel and staff of the administration. “We are carrying out 1500 to 2000 sample tests for Corona everyday and our positivity rate has been a low of 2%. We have been active in surveillance and all hospitals are constantly being monitored through CCTVs by our officers,” informs Aditi. 

For the young aspirants, Aditi has a clear message - “If you are keen on development administration, IAS gives you ample opportunities. It is a life full of dedication to service and sacrifice. You can bring about qualitative change in people’s lives, and no other service gives you the opportunity to address aspirations of people as this job.”