Disclosure of assets: Speaker exempts Koda

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has exempted jailed independent MP Madhu Koda from declaring his assets. Mr Koda, a former chief minister of Jharkhand, is under investigation on corruption and other charges. The jailed parliamentarian had requested the Speaker for an exemption from declaring his assets, which is mandatory for all MPs.

However, the Speaker has not specified the grounds on which the exemption has been given to Mr Koda.
The information about the exemption, made public through the Right to Information Act, also mentioned that apart from Mr Koda, Congress MP from Maharajganj (UP) Harsh Vardhan and independent MP Putul Kumari from Banka (Bihar) have also not disclosed details of their assets and liabilities. Ms Putul Kumari is the widow of the late JD(U) leader Digvijay Singh.
The rules make the Register of Assets and Liabilities of elected members confidential. As on April 1, 2013, three Lok Sabha MPs — Harsh Vardhan, Madhu Koda and Putul Kumari — have not disclosed details of their assets and liabilities, the information obtained under the RTI Act added.
The CBI, income-tax and Enforcement Directorate are investigating Mr Koda for cases of alleged corruption, owning assets disproportionate to known sources of income and money-laundering. He was CM of Jharkhand from September 2006 to August 2008.
Similarly, five members of the Rajya Sabha, including Ajay Sancheti of BJP, Darshan Singh Yadav of Samajwadi Party, Munquad Ali of BSP, Narendra Budania and Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu of the Congress have also not declared their asset and liability details. Neither of the Houses has initiated any action against the erring MPs so far. According to the Members of Lok Sabha Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Rules, 2004, every MP shall have to furnish to the Speaker the details of movable and immovable properties owned by him, spouse and dependant children, besides liabilities towards financial institutions and government, within 90 days from the date on which he or she makes and subscribes an oath or affirmation for taking his or her seat.