Less than 50 percent elected representatives at the local government level submitted their property details to the federal government in the last fiscal year.

National Vigilance Centre (NVC) that keeps records of property details of public officials said 15,000 out of 36,000 local representatives complied.

NVC speculates the low submission rate on newly elected local representatives’ ignorance of the mandatory compliance.

NVC Spokesperson Bishnu Raj Lamichhane said, “A large number of elected local representatives did not submit their property details in the last fiscal. Perhaps, they took time to settle in the new federal set up and, maybe lack of knowledge in some cases.”

The Corruption Prevention Act-2002 stipulates public office holders must submit their property details within 60 days of assuming office. Those already holding a public office must submit details within 60 days of fiscal year end.

NVC expects higher submission rate in the current fiscal year.

“We have already given passwords to every local unit or the concerned provincial assembly offices to register entry of property details in to our software system,” he said.

In the last fiscal, the NVC had given passwords of the software system to the District Coordination Committees (DCCs) so that elected representatives could enter their property details.

The NVC last week informed the concerned government agencies under the federal, provincial and the local units—to submit property details within the deadline.

This year the deadline is September 14 as per the Corruption Prevention Act. The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration on August 5 issued a notice to local units to this effect.

Elected representatives at the local units and staff recruited by the erstwhile local bodies should submit their property details to the concerned local units-offices of municipalities or rural municipalities.

Elected representatives at the DCCs and staff recruited by the DDCs should submit their property details to DDC offices.

Provincial governors should submit details to the Prime Minister’s Office; provincial chief ministers and ministers should submit details to offices of chief ministers concerned. Speakers, deputy speakers and provincial assembly members should submit the details to the office of provincial assembly secretariats.

Province Attorney General, officials of Provincial Public Service Commission and officials nominated by the provincial governments should submit their property details to the Chief Minister’s Office.

After collecting details about properties of public officials, the NVC prepares a report and submits it to the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).

The anti-graft body fines Rs5,000 on those who fail to submit property details as per the anti-corruption law. The NVC can extend the deadline up to 30 days.