An analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has revealed striking disparities in the financial assets of ministers across India. While many ministers declared assets worth crores, a handful reported very modest wealth.
In Tripura, Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura leader and minister Sukla Charan Noatia declared assets of just Rs 2 lakh, the lowest among all. He was followed by West Bengal minister Birbaha Hansda of the Trinamool Congress, who reported assets of a little over Rs 3 lakh.
ADR’s nationwide study found that the average assets of ministers stood at Rs 37.21 crore, with the total worth of all 643 ministers amounting to Rs 23,929 crore. Out of 30 Assemblies, 11 have billionaire ministers. Karnataka leads with eight, followed by Andhra Pradesh (six) and Maharashtra (four).
At the Union level, six out of 72 ministers (8%) are billionaires. Among parties, the BJP had the highest number of billionaire ministers (14), though this was only 4% of its total. The Congress followed with 11 (18%), and the TDP had six (26%). AAP, Janasena, JD(S), NCP and Shiv Sena also feature billionaire ministers.
The richest minister in India is TDP’s Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani from Andhra Pradesh, who declared assets worth over Rs 5,705 crore. Karnataka Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar followed with Rs 1,413 crore, while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reported assets exceeding Rs 931 crore. Other wealthy names in the top 10 include Narayana Ponguru, Nara Lokesh, Gaddam Vivekanand, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Suresha B.S., Mangal Prabhat Lodha, and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
The ADR report also highlighted that 47% of ministers face criminal cases, including serious charges like murder, kidnapping, and crimes against women. The findings come just days after the Centre introduced bills aimed at disqualifying ministers facing grave criminal charges.
