PANJIM: Three ministers and eight sitting legislators could find their names in two leading newspapers and the ensuing Legislative Assembly Session for failing to submit their statement of assets and liabilities for the financial year ending March 31, 2017. 

Goa Lokayukta, in its report on ‘Assets & Liabilities by Public Functionaries’ has released names of the ministers and MLAs who have failed to submit the details within the stipulated time frame. Those who haven’t submitted the statement are: Manohar Azgaonkar, Govind Gaude, Jayesh Salgaonkar (all ministers), Nilkant Halarnkar, Antonio Fernandes, Francisco Silveira, Pravin Zantye, Wilfred D’Sa, Churchil Alemao, Clafasio Dias and Prasad Gaonkar (all MLAs).

“As contemplated in Section 21 (2) (of the Goa Lokayukta Act, 2011, steps are being taken to publish their names in two newspapers having wide circulation in Goa. As required under Section 21 (2) this report is being submitted to the Governor (Mridula Sinha) so that the matter may be placed before the Legislative Assembly of Goa as contemplated in Section 21 (2),” Goa Lokayukta Justice P K Misra said in the report on Friday.  

Under the section, every public functionary falling within the purview of the Lokayukta for the purpose of investigation under the Act is required to file statement of his assets and liabilities held by him or by any person on his behalf, within six months from the date he/she enters the office and thereafter before June 30 every year. 

The report stated that the last date for submission of the property statements of those public functionaries any time during the previous financial year ending March 31, 2017 was on June 30, 2017 whereas those who became public functionary for the first time in March 2017 were required to file the statement within six months from the date they entered the office.