Govt employees must file wealth statements by 30 Nov
Failure to submit asset declarations to result in penalties such as forced retirement, removal from service, dismissal
Government employees have to file wealth statements for the fiscal 2023-24 by 30 November this year, Md Mokhlesur Rahman, senior secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, said on Sunday (22 September).
Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat, he said submission of wealth statements for government employees is mandatory from now on.
From next year, wealth statements of each financial year must be submitted by 31 December, he added.
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"Previously there was a rule for government employees to submit their asset declarations every five years. From now on, they will have to provide this declaration every year," Mokhlesur said.
About 15 lakh government employees in the country, from the lowest ranks to the highest, must file their wealth statements, he said.
"In order to prevent corruption and establish good governance by ensuring transparency and accountability of public servants, according to Section 13 of the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1979, all government servants must submit wealth statements," Mokhlesur said.
There will be penalties for those who do not file wealth statements or provide partial or false information, the senior secretary further said.
The secretary said failure to submit asset declarations within the specified time will result in penalties such as mandatory retirement, removal from service, and dismissal.
The wealth statements have to be submitted to the authorities concerned and the statements will not be made available to the public or other government agencies, Mokhlesur said.
In response to questions from reporters, the secretary said if there is a case or complaint against someone, then the information will no longer remain confidential.
The senior secretary added that there is a plan to introduce an online system where public employees will be able to file their wealth statements.
Earlier on 1 September, the public administration ministry issued a directive asking all government employees to submit their wealth statements. A five-member committee was formed on the next day to simplify and standardise the procedure.
On 25 August, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said advisers would soon disclose their wealth statements and that it would become mandatory for all public employees to submit their wealth statements to the government.
Where to submit
Cadre/non-cadre officers (9th grade or above) will submit their asset declarations to the secretary of the administrative ministry or department through their controlling authorities. Gazetted/non-gazetted officers/employees (10th grade to 20th grade) will submit their asset declarations to their respective appointing authorities.
Statement submission procedure
Asset declarations must be submitted in the prescribed format prepared by the public administration ministry. This format can be obtained from the websites of the ministry as well as other ministries, departments, offices and agencies. The asset declaration should be submitted in a sealed envelope to the relevant authorities.
Punishment
If a government employee fails to submit their asset declaration within the specified time, provides any incorrect information, conceals information, or if any discrepancies in their assets are observed, departmental action will be taken according to the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1979. This action will include both minor and major penalties.
Among the minor penalties, the first is reprimand. Following that, except in cases of disqualification for promotion or financial benefits according to job-related rules or orders, promotions or salary increases may be suspended for a specified period.
In cases of negligence in duty or violation of government orders that result in financial loss to the government, the entire amount or a portion of it may be recovered from the salary or allowances, or the employee may be demoted to a lower salary grade.
After the press conference, the public administration ministry issued a notification regarding the submission of asset declarations. It stated that a government employee must include information about both movable and immovable assets held in their name and in the names of their family members, both domestically and abroad.
The declaration requires not only detailed information about the employees themselves but also about their spouse and children. Specifically, it must include their national ID and taxpayer identification number, profession, office address, and date of birth.
Information that has to be included in the declaration
The declaration of immovable property must include information about the employee's agricultural and non-agricultural land, buildings, residential houses, flats, farms, or garden houses, and business establishments.
Additionally, the location of these assets should be specified, including details such as district, upazila, mouza, plot and record numbers, and holding numbers.
Similarly, for movable assets, the declaration must include information about jewellery, stocks, shares, debentures, bonds, securities, savings certificates, prize bonds, savings schemes, insurance policies, bank deposits, loans given, cash holdings, FDR, DPS, general provident funds, civil service provident funds, personal or commercial vehicles, electronics, furniture, and firearms.
Additionally, the type of acquisition of the assets must be specified, whether it is inherited, purchased, received as a gift, or held in joint ownership. The name under which the asset was acquired should also be disclosed. The declaration must include the date of acquisition and the value of the asset, as well as the source of funds if the asset was purchased.
If there are assets held abroad, the same information must be provided for those as well.
