JOIN USBihar bureaucrats asked to declare assets
Taking his war against corruption a step further, the Nitish regime has made it mandatory for the Class I, II and III officials to make their moveable and immovable property public by February 28.
Failure to abide by this directive will invite censure and the salary for the month of February will not be paid to all those who fail to furnish their property details by February 28.
Interestingly, the officials will have to furnish the details of property held by their wives and dependents too. Apart from the bank deposits, the disclosure should have details of both moveable and immovable property besides investments made in shares, bonds and debentures.
“Even those officers, who are on leave or on deputation, will have to declare their property. The Bihar government will not entertain any plea seeking relaxation of the deadline on any grounds,” averred Principal Secretary, General Administration Department, Deepak Kumar.
Incidentally, it was Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who first declared his property and put it on the government website. His ministers too followed suit and made their assets public by December 31.
Later, the Chief Minister asked all the state government officials, including IAS and IPS officers, to furnish the details of their property by January 31. But when many of the Babus could not meet the deadline, the government decided not to show any leniency and made it clear that “the disclosure has to be made by February 28.”
The respective Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) have been categorically asked not to prepare the salary of those officials who fail to meet the February 28 deadline.