CVC may be empowered to call for details of ministers' assets

SWATI CHATURVEDI

New Delhi, Feb 23: The Central Vigilance Commissioner may soon be vested with the power to call for details -- from the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament -- on income and properties owned by Union Ministers and MPs for corruption cases under investigation.

This is is one of the important provisions of the Corrupt Public Servants (forfeiture of property) Bill likely to be tabled this session of Parliament. The draft has been approved by the Cabinet Secretariat. According to provisions of the draft Bill, prepared by the Union Law Commission, the CVC can:

Attach illegally acquired property belonging to corrupt public servants.

Issue notices to banks and other financial institutions to furnish information and freeze assets of public servants under probe.

Direct Income Tax authorities to conduct raids on those under investigation.

Send Letters Rogatory to act against accused if properties are held abroad.The Bill makes it mandatory for ``all members of the Union Council of Ministers andMPs to file statements of properties (including the liabilities, if any) held or possessed by them, their relatives and associates ...'' A public servant, according to the Bill, is a person holding or who has held an office or post in the central government, any statutory corporation, agency or company subject to Govt control. The Bill defines associates of public servants as: any individual who has been or is residing in the residential premises (including outhouse) of the public servant; a person who has been or is managing the affairs or keeping accounts of public servants; any association, partnership or private company under the Companies Act, 1956 of which the public servant had been or is a member; trustees of any trust created by a public servant or the value of the assets contributed by such public servants which is not less than 20% of the total value of the assets.

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