As per the All India Service (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and various state service rules, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and other officers are required to submit annual immovable property returns (IPRs) to their respective Governments. The IPRs include details of all immovable property owned by the officer, their spouse, and their dependent children. However, there have been instances of IAS and other officers failing to submit their IPRs within the stipulated time frame. This can result in disciplinary action and impact their career progression. To ensure compliance, the Government has been taking several measures, including issuing reminders to officers who have not submitted their IPRs and initiating disciplinary proceedings against officers who fail to comply.
Despite the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issuing a circular directing all IAS officers to submit their IPRs almost every year, several IAS officers did not file their asset details. The circulars stressed the need for timely submission of IPRs to maintain transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Government, but certain officers have not paid any heed to repeated circulars. India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), and as such, it is mandatory to establish and promote effective practices aimed at the prevention of corruption. The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice has rightly pointed out these shortcomings and advised DoPT to come up with a solution.
In addition to IAS officers, other officers in various state and Central Government services are also required to submit their IPRs annually. Any noncompliance with an IPR submission by any Government officer is a serious lapse, as it impacts the transparency and accountability of the public service. Therefore, strict measures are taken to ensure the timely submission of IPRs by Government officials to avoid any legal and disciplinary action. IAS officers are the building blocks of the nation, and compliance has to be done.
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