Modi diktat: Ministers told to give assets, biz details in 2 months

They have also been directed to sever all connections with the conduct and management of any business

All ministers in the Narendra Modi government have been asked to give details of their assets, liabilities and business interests to the prime minister within two months.

They have also been directed to sever all connections, short of divesting themselves of ownership, with the conduct and management of any business in which they had interests before being appointed minister.

The home ministry reissued a code of conduct for all ministers after the new government took charge. The implementation of the code will be monitored by the prime minister.

The code also asked ministers to uphold the political impartiality of civil services and not ask the civil servants to act in any way that would conflict with their duties and responsibilities.

It also asked ministers to “ensure that his family members do not start or participate in business concerns engaged in supplying of goods or services to the government and there should be total prohibition on employment of spouse and dependents with a foreign mission”.

The details to be disclosed by the minister should include particulars of all immovable properties and the total approximate value of shares and debentures, cash holdings and jewellery of himself and family members.

Such a statement of assets and liabilities could be in respect of the financial year for which the income tax return has already been filed by the minister.

According to the code, after taking office and so long as he remains in office, the minister will furnish annually by August 31 to the prime minister a declaration regarding his assets and liabilities for the previous financial year.

The minister will have to refrain from buying from or selling to the government any immovable property except where such property is compulsorily acquired by the government in usual course.

THE MINISTERIAL CODE

* Implementation of the code will be monitored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

* It asks ministers to uphold the political impartiality of civil services

* Ministers must ensure family members are not involved in business concerns engaged in supplying of goods or services to the government

* There should be total prohibition on employment of spouse and dependents with a foreign mission

* No minister should personally or through a member of his family accept contribution for any purpose, whether political, charitable or otherwise

* He should not associate himself with raising of funds, except for the benefit of a registered society, or a charitable body, or an institution recognised by a public authority and a political party