CS writes to CPMG on calling for assets/property returns from selective IP/ASP/PS Group-B Officers

No.AIAIPASP/Corr-1/35/2014

26/11/2014

To

         Shri Tilak De, IPoS

Chief Postmaster General

         Odisha Circle

Bhubaneswar-751001

Sub:- Submission of declaration of assets and liabilities by the public servant.

Respected Sir,

A kind reference is invited to Circle Office Letters No. Vig/3-2/2014 dated 10/11/2014 wherein selective IP/ASP/PS Group-B Officers have been asked to submit assets/property returns within 10 days.

In this connection the Govt. notification on Public Servants (Furnishing of Information and Annual Return of Assets and Liabilities and limits for exemption of Assets in Filing Returns) Rules, 2014 under the Lokpal and Lokayukts Act, 2013 dated 14/07/2014 may kindly be referred to. In the said rules on 14-07-2014, the forms in which information and annual returns are to be filed by every public servant were prescribed and the last date for filing revised declaration/annual returns as on 1^st August, 2014 was scheduled to 15/09/2014.

Keeping in view the genuine concerns and apprehensions raised by some Ministries / Departments, Organizations and individuals about exacerbation of vulnerabilities of the public servants and also safety & security of the members particularly children of the public servant after filing such details, specifically of movable property, the Central Government has constituted a committee on 28/08/2014 to simplify the forms and process in which public servants shall make declaration of assets and liabilities and suggest changes therein as may be considered necessary. 

Further as per Department of Personnel and Training notification dated 8-9-2014 the last date for filing revised declaration/annual returns has been extended to 31/12/2014 basing on the amendment to Lokpal and Lokayukta ( Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2014.

In this matter, formal amendment to the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules is to be made in due course.

It appears to the Association that calling for assets/property returns from one IP, one ASP and selective Group-B Officers in the prescribed proforma for which a committee is set up to simplify the forms and suggest changes, and to enforce them to submit the same within 10 days prior to date fixed by the Government through amendment to Lokpal and Lokayukta (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2014 is overreach of law. Even if some additional information have been sought for in the CO letter dated 10/11/2014 which are not coming under Public Servants (Furnishing of Information and Annual Return of Assets and Liabilities and limits for exemption of Assets in Filing Returns) Rules, 2014 under the Lokpal and Lokayukts Act.

This is an undue “harassment” to the concerned Officers. This will ultimately have a distressing effect on such officers. Therefore this Association protests such discriminate use of administrative power over the law.   

I, on behalf of this Association, request your good self to look into the matter personally for observance of Public Servants (Furnishing of Information and Annual Return of Assets and Liabilities and limits for exemption of Assets in Filing Returns) Rules, 2014 under the Lokpal and Lokayukts Act as per the rule and also handling of complaints as per the guidelines issued vide Department of Personnel & Training vide OM No.104/76/2011-AVD.I dated 18/10/2013 and 18/6/2014 and  the ambit of these enquiries should be limited to the verification of specific questions.

With profound regards,

Yours sincerely,

(Pitabasa Jena)

Circle Secretary