UP Govt extends deadline for asset declarations, 2.44 Lakh state employees granted more time
Prayagraj: Over 2.44 lakh state employees who have not yet submitted their asset declarations received an extension from the Uttar Pradesh government. At first, the state had stated that it would withhold employees' salaries if they did not submit their asset declarations by August.
However, the government has chosen to grant an extension and give departments alternatives in response to demands for more time from a variety of personnel.
All state employees were previously directed by Manoj Singh, the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, to register their moveable and immovable assets on the "Manav Sampada" portal by August 31. Just 71 percent of the state's 846,640 government workers had followed this instruction by the deadline, meaning that 602,075 workers had successfully reported their asset information. Now, more time has been given to the remaining staff members who missed the deadline to finish their declarations.
A number of departments have filed their asset data and demonstrated compliance, including Textiles, Energy, Sports, Women's Welfare, and Sainik Kalyan (Welfare of Soldiers). Some important departments, such Revenue, Industrial Development, Medical Health, Basic Education, and Higher Education, have not yet complied with the directive in its entirety.
Payroll has not been withheld, as was earlier intended, Chief Secretary Manoj Singh said. Rather, a permissive approach has been taken, permitting different departments to send in their asset declarations in accordance with the recently supplied deadlines.
The government of Uttar Pradesh has emphasized that providing asset details is a must in order to maintain accountability and guard against corruption in the state's administration.
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Punjab CM Mann meets President Murmu, seeks cancellation of membership of 6 RS members
Chandigarh (PTI): Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday met President Droupadi Murmu, demanding the termination of the membership of six Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab who defected to the BJP and also pressed for the introduction of a constitutional provision allowing for the recall of members.
Accompanied by party MLAs and ministers, Mann visited Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.
This meeting followed a significant setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on April 24, when seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs -- Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney and Swati Maliwal -- quit and merged with the BJP, alleging that the party had strayed from its principles, values and core morals. Six of the seven MPs who left AAP hailed from Punjab.
After he met with the President, Mann addressed the media here, describing the departure of the seven MPs as a "murder" of the Constitution. He stated, "Seven MPs merging with another party is completely unconstitutional. I spoke to Rashtrapati ji in detail."
Mann pointed out that he told the President that the BJP holds only two MLA seats (in Punjab), yet now has six MPs in the Rajya Sabha. He questioned, "How can this be possible? Isn't it a mockery of the Constitution?
"If they are such revolutionaries at heart, then they should have resigned from their six seats. The AAP could have sent someone else," Mann said, taking a swipe at them.
He emphasised the need for a recall provision in the Constitution, referencing MP Raghav Chadha's previous demands for such a measure when members fail to meet public expectations.
"Have you lived up to the expectations of the people?" Mann challenged the MPs during his statement.
Mann also presented a letter to the President, signed by all AAP MLAs. He differentiated between the terms 'elected' and 'selected,' stating, "They were 'selected.' Therefore, their membership should be cancelled."
The President assured Mann that she would consult constitutional experts before responding.
Earlier in the day, Mann, along with party MLAs, departed for Delhi from Chandigarh.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Mann affirmed that all AAP MLAs stand united with the party. "Only I have been given time for the meeting," Mann said.
"The President is the guardian of the Constitution. She is the constitutional head of the country," he added.
Later in a post on X in Hindi, Mann said, "Our struggle to protect Punjab's rights and interests continues. Today, along with all AAP MLAs, I have left to discuss Punjab's burning issues and present the state's strong voice before the President.
As your public servant, our government remains fully committed to Punjab's prosperity and the safeguarding of the rights of every section of society."
The MLAs and ministers gathered at the chief minister's residence in the morning before heading to Delhi, carrying placards that read 'Punjab Mann De Naal' and 'Punjab's Traitors.'
The legislators left for Delhi in buses.
Mann had previously sought an appointment with the President to meet with party MLAs and demand the "recall" of the Rajya Sabha MPs who defected to the BJP. However, only Mann was given a time slot for the meeting.
