Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar, on behalf of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has written to Union Ministers reminding them of the mandatory annual disclosure of assets and liabilities in accordance with the 'Code of Conduct for Ministers.'

Under the code, Ministers have to declare every financial year the list of their assets and liabilities, including that of family members. The details pertaining to the Financial Year 2010-11 are uploaded on the Prime Minister's Office website. (http://pmindia.nic.in/).

PMO note

A note by the PMO said the details should include business interests and employment of spouse and dependents under a foreign government or organisation. The communication drew particular attention of the Ministers to paragraph 1 (a), 2 (c) and 3.2 of the code.

Paragraph 1 (a) prescribes that in addition to disclosure of details of the assets and liabilities, the declaration shall consist of particulars of all immovable property and the total approximate value of (i) shares and debentures, (ii) cash holdings and (iii) jewellery.

Paragraph 2 (c) says the Ministers should refrain from starting or joining any business and as per paragraph 3.2 the Ministers should not permit their spouse and dependents to accept employment under a foreign government in India or abroad, or in a foreign organisation (including commercial concerns) without prior approval of the Prime Minister.

"Where the wife or a dependent of a Minister is already in such employment, the matter should be reported to the Prime Minister for decision whether the employment should or should not continue. As a general rule, there should be total prohibition on employment with a Foreign Mission."

TH