The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued a final notice to all its employees who have failed to submit their annual property returns on the PRS portal. This notice is a follow-up to the circular issued in December 2022, which instructed all employees to submit their property returns for the year 2022 on the PRS portal from January 1 to January 31, 2023. However, many employees have failed to meet the deadline, which is a mandatory process.
The failure to submit property returns by government employees is a punishable offense under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Men and Public Servants Declaration of Assets Act and Rules made thereunder. The employees who have failed to meet the deadline will also be guilty of committing criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act and will be punishable under the said act. Furthermore, non-submission of property returns will result in the denial of vigilance clearance of defaulting employees.
Considering the gravity of the situation, the General Administration Department has decided to grant a last and final opportunity to defaulting employees who have failed to submit their property returns within the stipulated timeline. However, this opportunity is only available between February 28 and March 10, 2023. After this period, no more opportunities will be granted, and action as mentioned above will be initiated against defaulters.
During the above stipulated period, employees who have registered themselves on the portal but have not submitted their property returns must do so. Furthermore, unregistered employees must get themselves registered on the portal and subsequently submit their property returns.
Controlling officers and drawing and disbursing officers (DDOs) are also instructed to ensure compliance with regard to filing of property returns by all the defaulting employees of their establishment. Further, administrative departments shall also assess the progress in this regard.
It is essential for government employees to understand the gravity of the situation and comply with the deadline to avoid punitive action. The submission of property returns is a mandatory process, and all employees must fulfill their obligations. The PRS portal is an online platform that provides a convenient and efficient way for employees to submit their property returns, and they should make use of this facility to comply with the requirements.