Show income proof, ministers’ PSs told

The general administration department of the state government has asked the personal secretaries (PS) of all ministers to file statements of their income and property. While most PSs appear sanguine about the government circular, saying this was an annual requirement, some said that income statements of the ministers should also be made public. The PS of a minister confirmed that they had received the circular asking them to submit, by January 31, 2012, statements of their income and property (as on December 31, 2011).

"I have already submitted the statement. In fact, this is regular affair in the state government. Not only the PS to ministers but all the gazetted class 1 cadre officers in the government have to submit their income and property statements. It is no big secret. If we fail to do so, it is considered as our negligence, which is reflected in our salary from the new financial year."

Another PS said, "There is nothing much to talk about it, as we are government employees. This process is for bringing the transparency in the administration. Transparency can also be reflected by announcing property statements and income sources of the cabinet. All the ministers submit it but it is not made public by the government."