Gujarat Government Officers Must Declare Property

Gandhinagar : After Diwali, government officers in Gujarat, including Class III employees, must register their property details by November 20, 2024. The General Administration Department (GAD) recently issued a circular mandating this declaration through the “Karmayogi” online application. The initiative, aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability among government staff, requires information on both immovable and movable assets for all employees, including teachers and school staff across the state.

As per the GAD directive, around 2.5 lakh teachers in government primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools will also be required to report their property holdings. This includes properties held under their own names and those of immediate family members. The Directorate of Primary Education has already circulated instructions through District Primary Education Officers (DPEOs) and district-level committees to ensure compliance. For the first time, teachers will now be required to publicly declare their assets annually, aligning them with property disclosure practices followed by other government officers.

All government employees from Class I to Class III are now subject to mandatory property declarations. While Class I and Class II officials have historically been required to report immovable property details by January each year, the latest order extends this obligation to Class III staff, who must declare all property information through the Karmayogi software. The software is designed to streamline the reporting process, allowing employees to log property details digitally for easy access and review by the administration.

Class III employees must record their asset information, while Class I and II officials must submit both immovable and movable property details by March. The declaration is crucial for tracking any significant changes in employees’ assets, which must be promptly updated in the software. This rule applies to assets acquired or transferred during the year, ensuring that state officials adhere to high standards of conduct and transparency.

The Karmayogi application, now made mandatory for Class III employees, was officially implemented for property declarations on February 28, 2024. The software aligns with the provisions of the Gujarat State Service (Conduct) Rules, specifically Sub-rule (1) of Rule 19, which mandates annual asset declarations. This update brings the reporting requirements for Class III employees in line with those of gazetted officers, setting a new standard for public service accountability.

If any employee fails to comply or withholds information, the government reserves the right to take disciplinary action, including holding back their salary. This stringent measure reflects the state’s commitment to transparency in governance and aims to curb any possibility of corruption or misuse of official positions. The Karmayogi software is structured to provide an accurate record of all government officials’ property holdings, accessible to the administration for verification.

The new rules are designed to foster a culture of openness and responsible public service. By adopting a comprehensive approach that includes school teachers and extending to Class III employees, the government is broadening its accountability net.

In preparation for the upcoming November 20 deadline, government employees have been advised to promptly gather their property documentation and update it in the Karmayogi software, ensuring full compliance with the new directive. This landmark move highlights the Gujarat government’s ongoing efforts to promote integrity within its ranks.