Asset Investigation Commission Expects Over 25,000 Officials to Submit Asset Declarations, Receives Complaints

An official from the Asset Investigation Commission has indicated that more than 25,000 current and retired officials, as well as political appointees, are expected to submit their asset declarations, prompting the commission to begin requesting data from various agencies. The cabinet under Prime Minister Walendra Shah ‘Balen’ mandated at the beginning of Baishakh that the commission, chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari, issue notices requiring asset disclosures within 30 days.

The commission is tasked with collecting, investigating, and reporting on the asset declarations of all political officials, employees, and their families holding public office from fiscal year 2062/63 through the end of Chaitra 2082/83. Last week, the commission invited complaints regarding “illegitimate accumulation of assets” from political appointees or employees holding public office within or outside its jurisdiction, and several complaints have already been registered, according to the commission’s spokesperson.

In the initial phase, investigations are estimated to cover over 13,300 current employees at both the federal and provincial levels, stated the Director General of the National Archives. According to details, at least 3,000 retirants from civil service, police, and judiciary sectors are also expected to submit thousands of asset declaration forms. The form prepared by the commission requires clear disclosure of inherited assets as well as those acquired during the tenure.

The commission has been granted one year to complete its mandate, with the first phase focused on collecting, verifying, and investigating assets declared by officials holding office between fiscal years 2062/63 and 2082/83. The second phase will scrutinize the assets of senior officials who held office from 2048 to 2061/62. Commission spokesperson Ganesh KC stated, “Our preliminary estimates suggest that over 25,000 officials will be required to fill out the forms. Complaints have already started to be received.”