Patna: Bihar’s rural works minister Ashok Choudhary has moved to clarify a startling figure that appeared in the state government’s latest disclosure of ministers’ assets, saying a reported Rs 22.54 crore deposit in his wife’s bank account was the result of a typing error.
The clarification came a day after the cabinet secretariat department released details of the movable and immovable assets of all Bihar ministers for 2025, which showed an unusually large sum credited to the account of Choudhary’s wife. The disclosure quickly drew attention and prompted questions about the source of the funds.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Choudhary said the figure had been incorrectly entered while submitting his asset declaration. According to the letter, his wife’s actual bank deposits stand at Rs 2,25,67,497.29, but were mistakenly recorded as Rs 22,54,67,497.29 due to a clerical slip.
“The incorrect amount was inadvertently made public as part of the asset declaration,” the minister said, requesting that the error be rectified on the official government website at the earliest.
Choudhary, a senior leader of the Janata Dal (United), also detailed his personal finances in the declaration. He reported holding Rs 50,000 in cash, while his wife has Rs 10,000 in cash. The minister’s own bank deposits total around Rs 53 lakh, spread across multiple accounts.
Asset disclosures by ministers are intended to promote transparency, but errors in published figures can fuel political controversy. Government officials said the correction process would follow established procedures once the revised details are verified.
