PM asks ministers to declare assets

New Delhi, Jun 7 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh has asked ministers to declare their assets as also
those of their spouses and dependents along with any business
interests, as per the annual exercise.
The ministers have been asked to furnish the details by
August 31 in accordance with the Code of Conduct for
Ministers.
"I have been directed by the Prime Minister to apprise
you of the declarations required to be made by a member of the
Union Council of Ministers in accordance with the Code of
Conduct for Ministers...," Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar
has said in a June 2 letter to ministers.
"In this connection I am to inform you that in terms of
the Code of Conduct details in respect of assets, liabilities
business interests conduct and management of any other
business and employment of spouse and dependents under a
foreign government or organisation are required to be
disclosed by the Members of the Union Council of Ministers,"
he said.
He drew the attention of the ministers to the paragraphs
1(a), 2(a), 2(e) and 3.2 of the Code.
The paragraph 1(a) states -- "disclose to the Prime
Minister, or the Chief Minister, as the case may be
details of the assets and liabilities, and of business
interests, of himself and of members of his family.
"The details to be disclosed shall consist of particulars
of all immovable property and the total approximate value of
(i) shares and debentures, (ii) cash holdings and (iii)
jewellery. 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".