Dehradun, July 16 -- In a move to project transparency and accountability in the state bureaucracy, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan has issued a stern warning to all government officials, directing them not to purchase any property without prior intimation, or permission of the government. The directive, issued today, reminds the officers of their obligation to disclose the source of funds for all new property acquisitions and to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Uttarakhand Government Servants' Conduct Rules, 2002.

While the directive appears to be aimed at ensuring greater accountability among the senior officers, questions do remain on its efficacy, since such directives have been issued in the past too without much success.

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