More Efficient Bureau of Declaration

The Bureau of Declaration of Georgia, which was established at the Chamber of Control and later became a subordinate body to the Ministry of Justice, is in charge of monitoring incomes of public servants in an attempt to track down possible corruption cases.
The Bureau pays focuses on deadlines for submitting declarations by public servants and helps ensure their complete fulfillment.
The Bureau serves as an important archive and documents kept in there are significant and valuable source of information for non-governmental organizations and mass media outlets interested in the financial situation of public servants.
To increase efficiency of the Bureau in inspecting income declaration data and in prompt addressing to possible irregularities, the UNAG in 2006 had endorsed a new initiative in cooperation with UNDP, known as Partnership for Development - “Reform of the Public Servants’ Financial and Property Status Bureau of the Ministry of Justice.” The initiative was supported by the Development and Reforms Foundation at the President’s administration.
The aim of the initiative was to strengthen the Bureau through elaboration of relevant policy and developing legal recommendations, elaboration of guidelines for the declarer, introducing innovations (special software and network, data base) in daily work of the Bureau, and supporting production of promotional materials including the web-page.

Activities

The group of experts worked on the concept of draft law regulating the officials’ income declaration issues. Analysis of international and local legislation was prepared; information and consultation meetings with participation of the governmental and non-governmental organizations, mass media and other interested parties had been launched. Posters and calendars had been published, giving information on declaration period and procedures. Web-site supporting the initiative launched, where income declarations of some public officials will be published.