Late filing of IPRs by IAS officers to lead to denial of vigilance clearance

Jammu, Jan 1: Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in J&K have been asked to strictly adhere to rules regarding online filing of Immovable Property Returns (IPRs).

They have been cautioned that there is no provision for submission of IPRs manually so they will have to necessarily file it (IPRs) electronically.

Besides, late submission of IPRs will result in denial of vigilance clearance. As per amended rules, filing of IPR is mandatory for being considered for appointment to the next level of pay matrix.

GAD Commissioner Secretary M Raju has pointed out that pursuant to the instructions issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India, regarding filing of Immovable Property Returns (IPR) by the IAS officers, various circular instructions have been issued by the GAD from time to time.

“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 this year, failure whereof constitutes good and sufficient reason for institution of disciplinary proceedings,” Raju has cautioned.

“Moreover, vide notification dated December 30, 2021, Rule 3(1) of IAS (Pay) Rules, 2016 has been amended to make filing of IPR mandatory for being considered for appointment to the next level of pay matrix,” he has pointed out.

Notably, an online module has been introduced with effect from January 1, 2017 in respect of IAS officers for online filing of IPR. Through this module, every IAS officer can submit his or her IPR either electronically or upload a scanned copy of the manually filled-in IPR.

This online module closes automatically after the prescribed timeline of January in respect of filing of IPR of preceding year.

“In terms of the extant rules, the IAS officers have to necessarily file IPRs electronically as there is no provision for submission of IPRs manually. The timely submission of IPRs, has assumed significance as in terms of DoPT’s instruction, late submission of IPR results in denial of vigilance clearance,” Raju has warned, while directing the IAS officers “working in connection with the affairs of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir” to observe all instructions in letter and spirit.