Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Approves Stringent Asset Declaration Rules for Government Employees
The Uttar Pradesh state cabinet, in a significant move on Tuesday, approved a proposal making it mandatory for all government employees to formally declare their annual investments if the value exceeds six months of their basic salary. This decision marks a substantial shift in the state's governance and transparency protocols.
Enhanced Financial Transparency and Monitoring
Under the newly approved amendments to the Uttar Pradesh Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1956, employees will now be required to provide detailed declarations of their immovable assets on an annual basis, replacing the previous requirement of once every five years. The Department of Personnel proposed these amendments to Rule 21 and Rule 24 to strengthen accountability and prevent potential financial misconduct.
Key Changes to Investment and Property Declaration Rules:
- Rule 21 Amendment: Government employees must inform the competent authority if their total investment in stocks, shares, or other financial instruments within a calendar year surpasses an amount equivalent to six months of their basic pay.
- Rule 24 Amendment: The threshold for declaring movable property purchases has been increased. Employees must now report any acquisition of movable property worth more than two months of their basic salary, up from the previous limit of one month's basic pay.
Simplified Anand Marriage Registration for Sikh Community
In a parallel development aimed at administrative reform, the cabinet also cleared the Uttar Pradesh Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2026. This initiative is designed to streamline and simplify the registration process for Anand Karaj weddings within the Sikh community, addressing long-standing procedural complexities.
The decision aligns with the Supreme Court's directives issued on September 4, 2025, in the writ petition Amanjot Singh Chadha vs Union of India and Others, emphasizing the need for accessible marriage registration systems.
New Registration Framework and Procedures:
- Appointment of Registrars: A hierarchical structure has been established with the Sub Divisional Magistrate at the tehsil level designated as Registrar, the District Magistrate as District Registrar, the Divisional Commissioner as Divisional Registrar, and the Director of Minority Welfare and Waqf at the state headquarters as Chief Registrar.
- Application Timeline and Fees: Couples can apply for marriage registration within three months from the date of solemnization, accompanied by a court fee stamp of Rs 1,500. Applications submitted after this period will incur a delay fee as per stipulated rules.
- Appeal Mechanism: Parties dissatisfied with the Registrar's order can file an appeal before the District Registrar. A further appeal against the District Registrar's decision can be made to the Divisional Registrar, ensuring a robust grievance redressal system.
These comprehensive changes are expected to enhance financial oversight among public servants while facilitating easier and more efficient registration of Anand marriages, reflecting the state government's commitment to both administrative integrity and community-specific needs.
