Amending the rules for voluntary disclosure of assets and liabilities by government employees under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, the Department of Personnel and Training has made revealing of foreign bank deposits mandatory. The form for the disclosure has thus been changed and the deadline extended by four months from December 31.
The order says employees have to file statements of movable property separately for self, spouse and children. While investments above Rs. 2 lakh have to be reported separately, amounts below that can be reported together.
Besides cash and bank balance, the employees will be required to reveal details of movable assets such as furniture, fixtures, antiques, paintings and electronic equipment, if the total value of an asset in any category exceeds two months’ basic pay or Rs. 1 lakh.
Another order amending the previous Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2014, gives six months more to the government to make further amendments to the rules formulated.
While the government intends to make the declarations public, many officials are worried that the information could be misused. The latest order does not have any provision to ensure secrecy of disclosures. However, the employees are no more required to give out the names of banks and non-banking institutions. Earlier, they had been asked to disclose if they owned aircraft, yacht or ships; but now, they are required to give particulars of only motor vehicles.
Employees of Group A, B and C services are required to declare assets and liabilities for the previous fiscal by July 31. The last date for filing disclosures was September 15 and was extended to December 31.
