IAS Officers' Property Declarations Reveal Investment Trends
Out of 4,587 IAS officers, approximately 660 have not submitted their immovable property statements by the deadline. The Department of Personnel and Training website reveals intriguing investment patterns amongst these bureaucrats.
Greater Noida: A Hotspot for Bureaucrats
Property statements reveal a clear preference among IAS officers for Greater Noida as an investment destination. It has emerged as the most favored location for property acquisition, followed by various other areas within the rapidly expanding National Capital Region (NCR). Almost every senior bureaucrat on central deputation reportedly possesses at least one property – be it a plot, flat, or house – in Greater Noida. The area is also a popular choice for officers belonging to the AGMUT cadre, who frequently serve in Delhi during their careers.
Multiple Properties and Valuation Discrepancies
Data indicates a significant number of officers, across ranks, own multiple properties. However, there are exceptions, particularly amongst certain senior officials, whose declarations indicate neither they nor their spouses hold any property. A concerning trend is the omission of current market values in many statements, with officers claiming these haven't been ascertained.
Notable Cases and Suspect Valuations
Certain declarations warrant closer examination. Former NDMC Chairman Parimal Rai, named in the Shunglu Commission report, has declared eight properties, including two flats in the upscale Green Park area. He valued each flat at Rs 10 lakh, a figure seemingly incongruous with the current property prices in the city. His other holdings include a four-bedroom deluxe flat in Lucknow and a plot in Ghaziabad. A K Mehta, a 1978 batch Joint Secretary in the UUD Ministry from the J&K cadre, owns ten immovable properties, comprising three plots – two located in Golf City (Noida Sector 75) worth Rs 37 lakh each – and a property within a Dwarka mall valued at Rs 16 lakh.