Although the Department of Personnel and Training has simplified the form for declaration of assets and liabilities by government employees, the Ministry of Personnel may amend the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act to address their concerns about possible misuse of information thus made public.
“We have already simplified the declaration form and accordingly an order was issued last week. The officials are no more required to reveal the names of banks or financial institutions in which they have invested. However, we are alive to the concerns expressed by government employees on making the disclosures public,” a senior Ministry official said.
A major worry for the employees is Section 44(6) of the Lokpal Act, which provides that “the competent authority in respect of each Ministry or department shall ensure that all such statements [declaration] are published on the website of such Ministry or department ...”
Discussions onThe official said the issue of making the information public, as made mandatory under the Act, was being discussed at the senior-most level in the Ministry and that all possibilities were being explored, including amendments.
“We are also trying to ascertain if there can be a system to keep the declarations for access only within the government. If necessary, we may also bring in amendments in view of the concerns raised,” he said.
The revised order, issued on December 26, makes it mandatory for government employees to declare their deposits in foreign banks as also those of their spouses and dependent children.
However, the deadline has been extended from December 31 to April 30.
