More than 13 lakh UP government employees may lose salaries this month

Lucknow: More than 13 lakh government employees in Uttar Pradesh risk losing their salary for this month, alongside facing issues at promotions, if they fail to declare their movable and immovable assets on a government portal ‘Manav Sampada’ by August 31.

The government, as part of enhancing ‘transparency and accountability’, initially in an order in August last year set the deadline by December 31.

Subsequently, the deadline was extended to June 30 and then July 31 before it was reset to August 31.

Despite the ultimatum only 26 per cent of the total 17 lakh 88 thousand 429 government employees have so far given details of their properties.

More than 13 lakh employees, who have yet to disclose their asset details are at risk of facing actions as the latest directive issued an ultimatum.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh made it clear that salaries of those who failed to furnish details will be stopped.

"This measure aims to enhance transparency and accountability within the government. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Minister Danish Azad Ansari was quoted as saying.

However, the opposition said multiple deadline extensions indicate the government failed to implement its order.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma said: ‘Why did they not bring this in 2017? Now the Yogi Adityanath government is on the back foot, that's why they are doing this. They have realised all their employees are corrupt. This is a follow up, they were not able to implement this.’

It is mandatory for all officers and employees to disclose their movable and immovable properties.

The order issued by the Chief Secretary to all the Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries as well as Department Heads and Office Heads reportedly said the employees who fail to submit details will not be considered for promotions.