SRINAGAR, MAR 03: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has given employees a final opportunity to submit their annual property returns. This measure aims to scrutinize the property details of officials, contributing to efforts to combat corruption in the Union Territory.
According to an order issued by the General Administration Department on March 03, all employees under the Jammu and Kashmir Government were mandated to file their property returns for 2023 on the PRS Portal by January 31, 2024, with an extension until February 27, 2024. However, a significant number of employees failed to meet the extended deadline, raising concerns over non-compliance with mandatory procedures.
“The General Administration Department has granted a final opportunity for defaulting employees to submit their property returns. Starting from March 3, 2024, until March 17, 2024, employees can rectify their non-compliance by utilizing the online submission option on the PRS Portal,” the order reads.
“The failure/non-submission of the property returns by the Government employees invites action under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Men and Public Servants Declaration of Assets Act and Rules made thereunder,” it added.
A senior official in the Chief Secretary’s office said that the government has received reports about various bureaucrats and officials who have amassed huge wealth over the years.
“For the last three years, action has been taken against several bureaucrats and many officials in disproportionate cases. They have made more than their salary income and have been involved in corruption,” the official said.
Official sources said that it has been found that many officers don’t share their exact property details. “Once they submit their details, the investigating agencies will scrutinize them and ensure they have shared exact details. If it is found any officer having disproportionate assets, actions will be taken against him or her accordingly,” the official added.
According to another government order, in terms of Rule 16(2) of AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968, every member of the service is required to submit his or her annual Immovable Property Return (IPR) by January 31 of the next year, failure whereof constitutes good and sufficient reason for the institution of disciplinary proceedings. It says that late submission (of IPR) will result in denial of vigilance clearance.
