Realising that his first appeal to his cabinet colleagues for voluntary declaration of their assets had fallen on deaf ears, Uttar Pradesh [ Images ] Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has now issued a code of conduct for all his ministers. He has urged them not to accept any gift worth more than Rs 5,000.
Interestingly, the announcement coincides with Alhilesh's 39th birthday, which was deliberately kept very low key, in sharp contrast to the big bash thrown by his predecessor Mayawati [ Images ] on every birthday.
Issued in the form of personal letters to each of the 47 ministers, these were delivered to then at their residences on Sunday in the hope that they would understand the seriousness of the chief minister's intentions.
According to a highly placed source, "Along with his renewed appeal for declaration of assets, the chief minister has set an informal code of conduct through the new letter, which cites heavily from the provisions of the Representation of People's Act 1951."
The act prescribes annual declaration of assets latest by March 31 with particulars of not only all immovable property, but also all moveable assets, including jewellery, shares and as cash held by the person.
The code of conduct not only urges ministers not to accept gifts worth anything beyond Rs 5,000, but to shun any gift from government employees. "Any gift worth more than Rs 5,000 ought to be deposited in the government treasury," says the chief minister's letter. "Ministers would be allowed to reclaim their gift from the government treasury after paying up the amount over and above the prescribed limit of Rs. 5000," the letter points out. "Ideally, ministers must avoid gift from anybody other than their relatives and particularly from such persons officially connected with the minister," it adds.
The new code of conduct also urges ministers to simply refuse to accept felicitations with crowns and other regalia studded with precious stones, gold or silver.
Ministers have also been advised to observe strict austerity even at their family functions with a view to avoid sending out the wrong signals. They have also been advised to stay only in government guest houses during their official trips and avoid stay in private hotels.
