Patna: Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his cabinet ministers disclosed their assets on Tuesday, revealing a striking trend—many of the ministers’ wives are wealthier than their husbands. The declarations, posted on the state government’s website, also shed light on their investments, debts, and even weapons ownership.
Nitish Kumar’s modest declaration
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declared Rs.21,000 in cash, a notable contrast to some of his cabinet members. His property portfolio includes a 1,000 sq ft flat in Delhi’s Sansad Vihar Co-operative Group Housing, valued at Rs.1.48 crore—a Rs.3 lakh increase in market value since 2023.
Nitish also reported owning 12 cows and nine calves, valued at Rs.1.45 lakh—one less cow and calf than last year. His belongings include modest assets such as a hand pump worth Rs.10,550 and household items like a computer, washing machine, and exercise cycle.
Notably, the CM removed his son Nishant from the list of dependents in this year’s declaration.
Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary leads in cash holdings
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary emerged as the richest in terms of cash, declaring Rs.6.7 lakh, while his wife holds Rs.5.7 lakh. Together, their total assets amount to Rs.11.48 crore—an increase of Rs.56.68 lakh compared to 2022.
Choudhary’s immovable assets include Rs.4.87 crore worth of non-agricultural land and Rs.3.41 crore of agricultural land. His family also owns 1.3 kilograms of gold and 3.25 kilograms of silver, valued at Rs.78 lakh. Investments in shares, mutual funds, and PPF total Rs.24 lakh.
The Deputy CM also owns a rifle worth Rs.4 lakh, reflecting a trend of weapon ownership among some ministers’ families.
Public Health Minister Neeraj Kumar Singh tops the wealth chart
Public Health Engineering Minister Neeraj Kumar Singh declared the highest total assets among Nitish Kumar’s cabinet, worth Rs.13.98 crore, including his wife’s property.
Sports Minister Surendra Mehta: the least wealthy
Sports Minister Surendra Mehta reported total assets worth Rs.65.18 lakh, making him the least wealthy among the ministers. However, he disclosed government dues of Rs.53.17 lakh.
Property trends and family wealth
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha’s total assets stand at Rs.7.93 crore, with his wife, Sushila Devi, being two and a half times wealthier. She owns properties across multiple locations, including Pune, Patna, and Mokama, and also possesses rifles and revolvers.
Transport Minister Sheila Mandal declared assets worth Rs.2.62 crore, including land in Patna and Madhubani, but reported owning no vehicle. Social Welfare Minister Madan Sahni, known for his fondness for cars, owns three vehicles worth a combined Rs.41 lakh.
Rural Works Minister Ashok Chaudhary and his wife reported a combined debt of over Rs.3.5 crore, while IT Minister Santosh Kumar Suman declared substantial land holdings and gold reserves for himself and his wife.
A snapshot of financial diversity
The asset declarations highlight significant financial disparities within Nitish Kumar’s cabinet, with most ministers being crorepatis, except two. The wealth disclosures underscore the economic influence of ministers’ families and their varied financial portfolios, from investments in mutual funds to weapon ownership.
