Angered at the reluctance of many bureaucrats to declare their assets despite repeated reminders, prime minister (PM) Manmohan Singh has got their names, designations and departments posted on the official website of the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pension.
The list of defaulters — there are 851 in all — includes bureaucrats of the rank of secretary to the government of India. All those figuring on the lists are above the rank of under secretary.
The PM, in an order issued on January 6, has directed the bureaucrats to submit immovable property return (IPR) by January 31, 2011. They have also been directed to provide full particulars of property and assets and avoid phrases such as “same as previous year” or “no change”.
The PMO demanded that full particulars of the IPR, whether inherited/owned or acquired or held (power of attorney), be given.
The order is to convey to the babus that two reminders had been issued in the past. Sources in the prime minister’s office said Singh is upset with the defiant attitude of the bureaucrats and wants firm action taken against them. Putting up names on the website is an unusually strong step, they said.
The PM, incidentally, is the minister-in-charge of the personnel ministry.
