The move is the latest in a series of steps taken by Vajpayee to assert his position both within the BJP and the ruling coalition as also to give a boost to the party image.

In keeping with his promise to ensure a transparent and corruption-free administration, Vajpayee had, soon after he became the Prime Minister for the second time in March last, asked his ministers to declare their assets. But the move was shelved subsequently in the face of strong pressure from within the coalition.

In fact, Union Rural Development Minister Baba Gouda Patil had to cancel the press conference convened for the purpose soon after the Government came to power as Information and Broadcasting Minister Pramod Mahajan asked him to refrain from going public with thedetails about his assets.

The move has been revived, though it remains to be seen whether the Prime Minister will be able to drive his message through this time around.

In a letter written last week to members of his team, Vajpayee observed that it was proposed to place a copy each of the statements of assets and liabilities as of March last, submitted by the ministers, in the Parliament library.

He also circulated the format of the declaration to be filed by the ministers, since the statements submitted by some ministers earlier were in different formats with different reference dates.

He recalled that the Union Cabinet had decided last year that ministers should declare their assets and liabilities, including those of their family members, to the Prime Minister within 90 days for being made public.

The format sent this time by Vajpayee seeks the annual income details of the ministers and their spouses and assets like shops, trading establishments, industrial units, hotels and transport companiesowned by them, their children and parents.

Details about the immovable assets like land-holding, houses and apartments and their current market value have also been sought.

Other details sought include gold, precious jewelry and luxury items owned by the ministers and their family members, besides information regarding bank accounts, fixed deposits, shares and insurance policies.

Apart from details on loans and liabilities of ministers and their family members, the Prime Minister has also asked them to furnish information on the income and wealth tax paid by them.