Kathmandu, November 10

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has issued a circular to all district coordination offices, requesting them to submit the property details of elected local level representatives within seven days.

The circular was issued today in response to a letter of National Vigilance Centre which sought property details of elected local level representatives.

Earlier, National Vigilance Centre had directed the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development to provide it with their property details.

It requires the newly elected local level representatives to disclose property in their or family members’ name. The representatives include mayor, deputy mayor and members of metropolises, sub-metropolises and municipalities, and chiefs, deputy chiefs and members of rural municipalities.

As per the Prevention of Corruption Act-2002, any person who joins public office is, within 60 days from the date of joining such office and thereafter within 60 days from the date of completion of each fiscal year, required to submit the updated statement of property in his/her or his/her family members’ name along with sources or evidence thereof to the body prescribed by the government.

The concerned body or authority may extend the deadline for submission of such details for a maximum of 30 days. If the person assuming public office does not submit the statement of property within the time-limit extended, he/she will be liable to a fine of Rs 5,000 and the concerned body may launch investigation into the property in his/her and his/her family members’ names.