The Property Investigation Commission (CIAA) has advised the people who are in the process of submitting property details to show the source of their assets without any hesitation. The Commission has made it clear that there should not be any fear and hesitation in mentioning the property related to legitimate work including salary, allowances and other property that has been transferred as ancestral property.

NHRC Chairman Rajendra Kumar Bhandari said, “The land and land earned through the means of salary, allowances, leave, provident fund, insurance and medical expenses are legitimate property. Stating that there is no basis for illegal earnings to be legally recognised, he clarified that there is no doubt that such money is punishable by law.

The NHRC has also urged all concerned to cooperate in the investigation process by lodging a complaint if any person holding public office during the period from 2048 BS to 2083 BS was found to have made undue income by abusing the position. The NHRC has made it clear that the period of around 35 years of the restoration of democracy in the country would be divided into two phases from 2062/63 to 2082/83 and from 2048/49 to 2062/63 to investigate the files and complaints.

The five-member commission formed by the incumbent government after 2048 BS with the mandate to submit a report on the properties of those holding public posts, those who have retired or have been removed from their posts, is currently busy collecting property details and complaints. In the last few days, there has been a rush of former employees to submit property details at the EC premises soon after the opening of the office.

According to the commission, incumbent and former prime ministers, ministers, state ministers and assistant ministers, advisors and personal secretaries appointed by them are required to submit their property details. Stating that the deadline for submitting property details has been extended till mid-July, the commission has urged all the remaining parties to submit their property details without any doubt by gathering all the evidences within the stipulated timeframe. This is an edit

ed excerpt of the conversation between RSS Executive Editor Narayan Prasad Neupane and Reporter Ashok Ghimire with Bhandari.

Mr. Chairman, how is the Commission working now?

In the period of one and half months since the formation of the commission, works ranging from office standing to staff management have been completed and the collection of property details is underway. The office-bearers of the EC took oath of office and secrecy on April 9. The commission started its work the next day. A public notice was published on May 13 giving a month’s time to the applicants to submit their property details. Accordingly, around 3,500 property details forms have been submitted so far.

Since early morning, there has been a rush to submit property details forms at the four designated places in the commission. So far, 60 complaints have been received. There are many complaints in the email, which are yet to be opened. Complaints range from disproportionate assets to possession of property in the name of others. There have also been complaints that various people have constructed huge buildings through illegal means.

What are the challenges faced by the Commission in terms of working ?

The office has just been erected. The process of bringing in employees continues. Their competence has not even been tested. Work will be divided on the basis of ability, efficiency and expertise. Computers and printers are being mobilized. The Commission’s works have been expedited amidst lack of space and various challenges to operate the office. The Commission has received support from all sides of the government, ministries and people’s representatives. We are involved in the management of physical infrastructure as well as manpower at the commission in Keshar Mahal. Now we will start testing the files and then we will address the challenges that will come.

  Since early morning, there has been a rush to submit property details forms at four designated places in the commission. So far, 60 complaints have been received. There are many complaints in the email, which are yet to be opened. Complaints range from disproportionate assets to possession of property in the name of others. There have also been complaints that various people have constructed huge buildings through illegal means.

Do you get an opportunity to include something that is important while filing a property statement?

If it feels that there is some omission in the details form submitted by them, the commission accepts the application mentioning the previous registration number. They can collect and submit documents confirming the source of their wealth.

How can the commission help the person who is in the category of submitting property details if he is sick or is abroad and is confused?

We explicitly ask those who come to the commission to collect and submit records or documents that prove the source of the property. For example, if someone does not know the salary scale, the civil service is obtained from the book. If you have taken money for Employees Provident Fund, Citizen Investment Trust, leave, insurance, treatment, you are advised to bring the documents and details from the concerned office.

Those living abroad should also come early and fill the form. Or if you can’t come, apply now. We will give you the facility to file an application to fill the form on this date. The main thing is that the process of filing their property details and investigation should continue. We have suggested that they should not be disturbed.

How does the Commission investigate the property details and complaints received?

The complaint and related property details form should be kept together. The registration process has just begun. We will start the investigation after internal preparation. How the investigation will be conducted is a matter of confidentiality, so we will move forward accordingly.

What does the Commission expect from a political party, government or person who is in the purview of handing over property?

Political office-bearers, lawmakers, provincial parliamentarians, mayors and deputy mayors of municipalities, other office-bearers in the legislature, former chief justices, civil servants above first class at various levels of the government, bank officials, officials of public corporations and university officials receiving grants are required to submit their property details. Most people are submitting forms.

Since it is a responsibility entrusted by the state, the citizens should fulfill their responsibility. The Commission believes that they will help in the investigation by filling up the form on time as it is an opportunity to prove that my conduct, behavior, sources and earnings are all pure, accountable and accountable. We expect full cooperation and cooperation from all in this regard.

What happens to a person who is within the scope of submission of property details but has already died?

There is a universally accepted legal principle that ‘crime also dies’ when a person dies. Therefore, there is no need to fill the form on behalf of the deceased person, but if a complaint is filed against such a person, action will be taken after investigation.

What is the mechanism of the commission to facilitate the people who are in confusion regarding the TAG_OPEN_strong_58 handing over of the property?

The commission is facilitating. There is an easy way to submit property details. The commission itself is facilitating when someone is facing difficulty in collecting evidence.

What is the message to those who come to submit property details?

Confidently show the source of your wealth. No one should be afraid. Only those who are in the wrong business are afraid. For example, money earned through salary, leave, medical expenses, provident fund, insurance, etc. is legitimate earnings. Similarly, inheritance, land, and agricultural income are legitimate property.

Illegal wealth is the only property obtained from work prohibited by law. If the house is rented but the rent tax is not paid, it is illegal. There is no need to be afraid and hesitant to mention property related to legitimate work. Illegal earnings are not legal. It is legally punishable. There is no need to be confused about it.

If there is a lack of time to submit the property statement, will the commission extend the time again?

Realizing their frustration, we have extended the deadline for the last time until mid-July after the officials living in the country or abroad requested through phone and email that they were collecting evidence, it has not been timed. Singha Durbar, Land Revenue and Court were also set on fire during the Zenji agitation. This has made it difficult to collect evidence. Due to this, time has to be added. This is the last time. The deadline will not be extended later. The rest must submit the details within the stipulated time. The Commission requests all concerned to gather all the evidences and register the details confidently.