How Rich Are Bihar’s IAS Officers? Asset Declarations Reveal Financial Profiles
Patna: On the final day of the financial year 2024-25 on Monday, senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers serving in Bihar declared their assets, adhering to state government regulations requiring disclosure of property and financial holdings.
Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena’s Wealth Declaration
Bihar’s Chief Secretary, Amrit Lal Meena, reported holding Rs 60,000 in cash and deposits worth Rs 37 lakh across banks and financial institutions. His wife, Barfi Meena, has Rs 12.93 lakh in bank savings. Meena has investments worth Rs 40,000 in bonds and shares, and a notable affinity for gold, possessing 70 grams of jewellery, while his wife owns 450 grams of gold and two kilograms of silver.
In terms of real estate, the Chief Secretary owns agricultural land in Jaipur. However, he does not own any vehicles. His wife holds land in Delhi valued at Rs 2.5 lakh and non-agricultural land in Jaipur worth Rs 54 lakh. Additionally, she has purchased commercial land in Delhi for Rs 2.61 lakh. The Chief Secretary owns apartments in both Jaipur and Delhi and has taken an Rs 11 lakh loan from Canara Bank, Delhi.
Additional Chief Secretary S Siddharth’s Assets
Dr S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, disclosed Rs 34.79 lakh in bank savings and investments of Rs 11 lakh in shares and bonds. His jewellery is valued at Rs 4 lakh. Notably, he owns a licensed pistol.
His real estate portfolio includes a flat in Dwarka, Delhi, worth Rs 25 lakh, a house in Medchal, Telangana, valued at Rs 65 lakh, and a flat in Nerkundram, Tamil Nadu, worth Rs 1.35 crore. He has an outstanding Rs 90 lakh loan but does not own any agricultural or non-agricultural land or vehicles.
Principal Secretary to Governor RL Chonguthu’s Holdings
RL Chonguthu, currently serving as Principal Secretary to the Governor, owns a 13-year-old Maruti Ertiga, purchased in 2013, and a Maruti Brezza, bought in 2018. He holds Rs 10,000 in cash and Rs 20 lakh in bank savings. His most significant asset is a 9,000-square-foot plot in Shillong, valued at around Rs 2 crore.
Resident Commissioner Kundan Kumar’s Financial Status
Kundan Kumar, the Resident Commissioner, disclosed Rs 20,000 in cash, with an equal amount held by his wife. He has Rs 11.44 lakh in bank savings, while his wife holds Rs 1.65 lakh. Kumar owns a Hyundai Santro and has invested Rs 47.37 lakh in mutual funds, along with additional investments in shares.
Chief Minister’s Secretary Anupam Kumar’s Asset Declaration
Anupam Kumar, serving as the Chief Minister’s Secretary, co-owns a Bengaluru flat worth Rs 91 lakh with his wife, Pratima Satish Kumar Verma. The flat was purchased in 2017. He reported holding Rs 5,000 in cash, while his wife has Rs 25,000. His bank deposits amount to Rs 17 lakh, and he has a monthly SIP investment of Rs 10,000.
