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Transport Ministry sets gift taking rules for its staff

An official who accepts a gift is obliged to notify the ministry’s administrative department within three business days

MOSCOW, February 03. /ITAR-TASS/. Gifts received by the Ministry of Transport’s officials while on duty will be included in the federal property register, says the ministry’s draft instruction that followed the government’s decree adopted on January 9.

The ministry is going to allow gifts such as stationery used for discharge of officials’ duties, flowers and valuables given as a reward. In other cases the transport minister and the ministry’s civil servants are prohibited from taking presents from individuals and legal entities.

An official who accepts a gift is obliged to notify the ministry’s administrative department within three business days. Documents like a receipt, if there are any, should be attached to the notification. A gift with an unknown price is submitted for storage for a special commission to evaluate the item. Should its value exceed 3,000 rubles (about $91), the gift should be put on the federal property register.

According to the document, an official who submits a gift can buy it out after referring an application to the minister. The gift may also be used for the ministry’s needs. Otherwise, it is set for open sales; if it finds no buyer the gift may be used for charity or destroyed. Sales revenue will go to the federal budget.