Govt makes assets disclosures stricter

The state government tightened the noose around corrupt employees. Henceforth, state employees will have to disclose purchases of any immovable asset that costs twice their basic salary for two months. Also, he/she will have to seek prior permission for any transaction involving a person/trader/contractor who does business with his/her office.

The state government tightened the noose around corrupt employees. Henceforth, state employees will have to disclose purchases of any immovable asset that costs twice their basic salary for two months. Also, he/she will have to seek prior permission for any transaction involving a person/trader/contractor who does business with his/her office.

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The development comes after the two Public Works Department engineers in Nashik were found to have amassed movable and immovable assets disproportionate to their official income. The government on Thursday amended the Maharashtra Civil Service Rules (conduct)-1979, to incorporate the much-required amendment so that growing corruption by employees can be checked.

Since many employees - like the engineers in Nasik - purchase properties in the name of their family, the new rule make mandatory to disclose such transactions and also seek prior permission.

“The amendment will ensure that employees/officials do not ask for favours from contractors who seek approval for their projects. We have found in many cases that properties were bought in housing schemes that were approved by these officials,” said a senior bureaucrat, requesting anonymity.

A recent case has been Colaba’s Adarsh Housing Society in which several senior bureaucrats, who helped the scheme in getting approvals, were given flats at throwaway prices. Several officers who worked in municipal corporations and collector’s offices in various cities have properties there.

Under the new rule, employees will have to disclose insurance policy which charge an annual premium twice the basic salary of two months.