File property returns early: Govt to babus

All central government officers have been asked to file details of their assets and liabilities, as mandated under the Lokpal Act, at the earliest to avoid last minute rush, the Centre said today.
"Filing of returns at the last moment by thousands of officers makes the system sluggish and leads to delay in filing of the returns.
"In view of this, all Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Officers are requested to file the returns at the earliest without waiting for the last date to approach to avoid rush and slowing down of the system at the last moment," an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said.

The CSS, which forms backbone of central secretariat work, has a sanctioned strength of 11,467.
The DoPT has asked all central government ministries to ensure filing of property returns by CSS officers working under their charge before the last date of October 15, 2015.
The declarations under the Lokpal Act are in addition to the ones filed by the employees under various service rules applicable to them.

As per the rules notified under the Lokpal Act, every public servant shall file details of assets and liabilities, including those of their spouse, as on March 31 every year, on or before July 31 of that year.

For 2014, the last date for filing returns was September 15, which was later extended to December-end, then till April 30, and now up to October 15 this year.
All Group A, B and C employees are supposed to file a declaration under the new rules.
Employees need to give details like cash in hand, bank deposits, investment in bonds, debentures, shares and units in companies or mutual funds, insurance policies, provident fund, personal loans and advance given to any person or entity, among others.