Govt talks of doing away with affidavits but makes own officers file them by the dozen

The other points the officer has to commit in the affidavit are about not seeking employment in a foreign country,not extending leave in normal circumstances and also his or her own name,designation and address under oath,said sources. Many officers,on condition of anonymity,are of the view that when one has applied for ex-India leave and got an NOC from the government to go abroad,there’s no need of an affidavit,as one gets an NOC only after applying for leave and in some cases the government even declines the leave.

This is not all. Officials of the state government on returning after availing LTC have to file a self-attested certificate stating that they have availed of LTC. The certificate needs to specify the name of the official,post held,date of appointment in service,period during which LTC is taken and indicate whether leave was sanctioned,also the block of years the LTC was availed for. The officer is then asked to give details of LTC — whether for visiting home town or any other place in India.

An officer pointed out,“When one has availed of LTC,one provides the tickets to the government,and also before going on LTC one takes permission and also leave and tells the government that one is proceeding on LTC. Then,why all this paperwork after coming back?”

When contacted,Punjab Chief Secretary SC Agarwal did not appear clear on the issue. He said,“It is only self attestation for officers in case of LTC and as for affidavit required for ex-India leave,I will check.”

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal,who has been pressing for reduction of the need to file affidavits,said the government will study and end such practices,as it is committed to reducing unnecessary affidavits.