In India, public servants are required to declare their assets and liabilities, but the process of verifying these declarations is often weak. L. Chakrapani, a Chennai-based RTI activist, explains that the form is only the first link in a longer chain of checks. The Central Vigilance Commission has set a deadline for 100% compliance with property returns, but even ministers have been late in making their assets public. Chakrapani emphasizes the need for a mechanism to scrutinize declarations and create a baseline for comparison. He also highlights the importance of comparing declarations with independent records, such as income-tax data, to ensure accuracy and transparency. The CBDT and ECI have a joint framework for verifying election affidavits, which allows for asset disclosures to be checked against tax information and discrepancies to be investigated. This process is distinct from the property returns filed by civil servants, but raises the same question about independent verification. The lack of transparency and accountability in the process of verifying public servants' wealth is a concern, and Chakrapani's explanations highlight the need for reform and improvement in this area.