Apparently inspired by the nationwide trend of declaration of assets set in motion by judges of superior courts and some bureaucrats in Uttar Pradesh, a District Collector in Tamil Nadu has followed suit and posted details of his assets on the district website."I want to be a role model to government officials, especially my subordinates. I made the declaration in consultation with RTI officials, who told me I can declare my immovable property and (bank) accounts," Namakkal District Collector U Sagayam has told a news agency.    

He had voluntarily made the declaration as there is a public perception that government officials are corrupt, said Sagayam, who joined the ranks of three IAS officers and an IPS official of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, who had declared their assets last week.

Sagayam thus kept his word given during an RTI week celebration last month, where he said he would make public, details of his property and bank balance.  

 The website has been updated with details of his assets, which says he holds property worth Rs nine lakh jointly with his wife Vimala in Madurai and a bank balance of Rs 7,172 in a State Bank of India branch. "As a measure to create confidence in the minds of the people and to ensure transparency in his administration, the District Collector has disclosed his property and bank balance," the website, www.namakkal.tn.nic.in, said.
Sagayam said he had purchased the property with an LIC Housing loan and was repaying it currently.    
"The declaration of assets is purely on voluntary basis," he has said in the official website.

It is indeed a good precedent that the District Collector has set. Namakkal is showing the way. Naturally several others will follow. And for this encouraging trend, we should first thank the media, which gave due importance to this matter, especially the one relating to the Supreme Court.

No doubt, this would also bring down the incidence of corruption in public service. However, the only aspect of concern is that this is still voluntary. Hope Government would see the rationale behind making it mandatory.