Asset declaration and accountability of govt. employees

In July, the High Court directed government employees and their family members to strictly adhere to the rules concerning the declaration and filing of assets. The court emphasised that Rule 13 of the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1979, must be strictly enforced.
According to this law, every government employee is required to declare to the government, through the proper authority, any shares, certificates, securities, insurance policies, and ornaments valued at 50,000 taka or more that are owned or held by them or their family members. Additionally, the law mandates that every government employee must submit a statement of any increase or decrease in their assets every five years through the appropriate authority.
When elected representatives fail to fulfil their commitments, government officials also neglect their obligation to account for their assets. Years of unchecked accountability have turned public administration into a breeding ground for corruption. The Benazir and Matiur scandals are not isolated incidents; numerous government officials and employees have become symbols of corruption while drawing salaries and allowances from taxpayers' money.
To address this situation, it is essential that not only the judiciary but also all public administration departments take responsibility for monitoring their assets. No political government has succeeded in this task. Let the interim government do it.

Ashikujaman Syed
Research Assistant,
Bioinformatics Research Lab,
Center for Research Innovation and Development (CRID)
[email protected]