Coimbatore residents say the state government’s recent anti-corruption push has made many officials wary of demanding bribes openly. After Chief Minister Vijay urged citizens not to pay “bribes or party fund” and to report demands through a WhatsApp number, people report a visible drop in overt extortion at government offices.
However, citizens allege that bribery has not disappeared, especially in departments such as Registration, Local Planning bodies, Municipal Corporations, Revenue and Land Survey. They say the practice has only shifted in form—less coercion, more quiet acceptance—while some offices continue to operate with unofficial payments.
A recent incident at a registration office in Coimbatore district was cited as an example. A woman who came to register a document asked how much the sub-registrar would need; when she began typing a message to the WhatsApp complaint number after being told to pay Rs 30,000, officials reportedly backed off and completed the registration without taking money.
Document writers said bribery in the Registration Department has reduced compared to earlier periods, when fixed amounts were allegedly demanded based on property value. They claimed that direct applicants are less likely to be asked for money, and that the pressure to pay “upwards” has eased.
A doctor also described his experience with electricity connections, alleging that bribes were demanded earlier for shifting lines and temporary connections, while a recent application moved quickly after he mentioned filing a complaint. Electricity board staff, meanwhile, said field works often involve out-of-pocket expenses for logistics like lorries and cranes, and claimed that only such costs are now being collected. Residents also alleged that some municipal bill collectors and town-planning staff continue to seek payments, though at reduced rates compared to the past.
