By Isanella Patoir
Hundreds of public officers are yet to file a declaration of their assets with the Integrity Commission and if they fail to do so within two months legal action could be taken against them.
The defaulters include Members of Parliament.
As Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo toured the offices of the Integrity Commission Wednesday, it was revealed that less than half of those who should declare their assets have done so.
According to the law, they are required to file the declarations of their assets with the Commission by June 30.
“If they don’t comply with within the next two months we will have to take steps to prosecute them, they must comply with the law,” said Kumar Doraisami, Chairman of Integrity Commission.
He was speaking to reporters following a visit to the offices of the Commission by the Prime Minister. It was reported that about 430 persons have submitted their forms.
“We had sent out about 1400 forms,” said Doraisami.
“We have about 47 parliamentarians who have submitted; we still have quite a few more to submit.
“This is not something that people (should) take easily; a law was established and we must follow the law,” he stated.
As the Commission seeks to get tough with defaulters, it also has to get the full complement of staff to do so. The Chairman said the Commission is not quite fully staffed because of “budgetary restraint.”
But he was clear that the Commission will get down to its mandate.
“If public officers want the Commission to secure their integrity they must file their declaration,” he stated.
The Integrity Commission Act was assented to on the 24th September, 1997.
The Act provides for the establishment of the Integrity Commission, which is not subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.
