DoPT asks Central officers for property returns by April 20

“The Government of lndia has also decided that the annual property returns of members of all-lndia service and other Group ‘A’ officers as on January 1,2011 will be placed in the public domain,” the circular states.

The Union ministry has asked all the state governments to provide the relevant information by 5 pm on April 20 after which names of the defaulting officers will be put up on the website of DoPT and action will be initiated accordingly.

In Gujarat,there has been no disclosure of the annual property returns from IAS/IPS officers in the state under the Right to Information (RTI) Act despite an order from the state Information Commission on July 28,2010 and from the Gujarat High Court on December 9,2010.

When contacted,state Chief Secretary A K Joti said,“I am not aware of the order and so cannot comment immediately. I will check up with the department and let you know.”

Regarding the non-implementation of the RTI Commission order as well as the High Court order,Joti said,“Additional Chief Secretary Balwant Singh is in charge of the General Administration Department. He will be in a better position to tell.”

Singh remained unavailable despite repeated attempts.

Harsh Brhambhatt,a joint secretary in the GAD who deals with matters relating to officers of all-India services serving in Gujarat,was also unavailable for comments despite several attempts.