Penalties If Govt Employees Fail To Submit Asset Declarations

The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on September 1, instructing all government employees to submit their asset declarations by November 30, 2023. Going forward, such declarations must be submitted annually by December 31. 

This initiative aims to promote good governance by preventing corruption and ensuring transparency and accountability among the 1.55 million government employees in Bangladesh, in accordance with the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1979.

Submission Requirements and Process  

Authorities for Submission:

1. For Cadre/Non-Cadre Officers (Grade-9 or above):

   Asset declarations must be submitted to the Secretary of the relevant ministry/department through the controlling authority.

2. For Gazetted/Non-Gazetted Officers and Employees (Grade-10 to Grade-20):*

   Asset declarations should be submitted directly to the appointing authority.

Submission Process:

- The declaration must be prepared using the **prescribed format** developed by the Ministry of Public Administration.  

- The format can be obtained from:

  - The Ministry of Public Administration’s website.

  - Websites of other ministries, departments, or agencies.

- The completed declaration must be sealed in an envelope and submitted to the designated authority.

Non-Compliance and Penalties  

Failure to submit the asset declaration within the stipulated time, submission of incorrect information, or concealment of any details will result in disciplinary action under the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1979. Discrepancies may invoke penalties as per the **Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018**, which include:

Minor Penalties:

1. Reprimand.

2. Withholding of promotion or financial benefits for a specific period (except for eligibility criteria breaches).  

3. Deduction from salary or benefits for recovery of any financial loss caused to the government.  

4. Demotion to a lower pay scale step.

Major Penalties:

1. Demotion to a lower post or pay scale.  

2. Compulsory retirement.  

3. Dismissal from service.  

4. Removal from service.

Confidentiality and Applicability  

1. Applicability:  

   The regulation applies to all government employees in Bangladesh.  

2. Confidentiality:

   - Information from the asset declarations can only be disclosed with a court order or approval from the relevant authority.  

   - These declarations are classified as confidential documents, and hence, the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2009, do not apply.

3. Amendments: 

   The government reserves the right to amend or revise these regulations as necessary.

Background on Government Employees  

According to the Statistics of Civil Officers and Staffs Report, 2021, there are 1,554,927 government employees in Bangladesh. This is a small fraction of the country's 70 million employed individuals.