Deadline for disclosure of assets and liabilities by central government employee and senior management personal of NGOs receiving government aid and foreign donation has been extended indefinitely.
The government brought an amendment to Lok Sabha after receiving number of representation made from NGOs, Civil Society and other stakeholders expressing concern over provisions in the Lokpal Act which could adversely affect the NGO sector. The Amendment pertains to Section 44 of the Lokpal Act which deals with declaration of assets and the provision of making assets public.
As per the article published in The Indian Express, Government is open for the suggestions to keep the spouses of government servants and NGOs out of the ambit of the bill. It will also depend on the recommendations of the Standing Committee.
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Socio Research & Reform Foundation (NGO)
512 A, Deepshikha, 8 Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110008
e-mail: socio-research@sma.net.in; website: http://www.srr-foundation.org
The Govt. has changed the definition of ‘Public Servant’. The Gov. Board members are not compensated for the time spent and do not run the day to day affairs of the Society/Trust that is doing social work. Then on what basis are they ‘Public Servants’.
Notification which has come out has deferred present provision in the Act of filing returns S. 44 to 31 Dec 2016. In the meantime govt has also formed a Parliamentary committee to look into the mechanics of S.44. Hence it can be said that most likely provision relating to filing of return will be amended. In the meantime just to be on safe side govt has postponed compliance with present S.44 till 31 Dec 2014. Click here for notification
Thanks for Sharing!!
Sandeep
Dear Friends,
It was a good debate in the Rajya Sabha on 28th July 2016 on the subject. Thanks to FMSF and other Networks who made successful representations to the Government on the need for at least extending the last date for submission of returns to Lokpal for a reconsideration of the whole issue. Things will be finalized only during the next session of the Rajyasabha. There is enough time for keeping the documents ready incase submission of returns to Lokpal becomes a must. It appears that the Law makers are hell bent on enforcing total transparency and accountability on the part of all categories of Public servants.
With best wishes and regards,
Udayashankar
Sir,
Can office bearers of a NGO not drawing a penny from it be called public servants?
Regards,
Sir, that seems to be the irony of the matter.
Problem is Lokpal Act was originally drafted with corruption amongst members of Executive and bureaucracy, hence no mention if the public servants are being paid, since that was the underlying assumption. However subsequently S. 14(g) & 14(h) were included in the Act covering NGOs.
Even today it is not clear what is meant by ‘Director, Manager, Secretary & other officer’. Are they supposed to be paid members or even volunteers are supposed to be covered ? There are differing opinions. Anyway now that the requirement of filing return has been postponed and matter is being debated in the parliamentary committee, please submit your views to the Committee.
warm rgds
ultimately voice is heard.sensibility is the winner
any notification is issued. kindly share the same.
Has any order been issued in this regard? If so, can we get the link?