40% ministers in Gujarat Assembly have criminal cases: ADR

As many as 40 percent ministers of the Gujarat Assembly have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 84 percent are crorepatis, says a new study.

After the resignation of Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and reconstitution of the council of ministers, Gujarat Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 25 ministers including the newly-elected Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

"Ten (40 percent) of the 25 ministers have declared criminal cases against themselves. Of them, five have declared serious criminal cases including murder, attempt to murder, robbery and dacoity," ADR said in its study released today.

Out of the 25 ministers, 21 (84 percent) are crorepatis, with average assets of Rs 7.81 crore, it said.

The minister with the highest declared total assets is Solanki Parshottmbhai Odhavjibhai with assets worth Rs 37.61 crore, followed by Kakadiya Vallabhbhai Gobarbhai (Rs 28 crore) and Patel Rohitbhai Jashubhai (Rs 23 crore), the study said.

Rupani has total assets worth Rs 7 crore, while his deputy Nitinkumar Ratilal Patel has Rs 9 crore of total assets, it added.

The minister with the lowest declared total assets is Tadvi Sabdsharan Bhailalbhai with Rs 23.76 lakh.

A total of 18 ministers have declared liabilities of whom Radadiya Jayeshbhai Vithalbhai from Jetpur constituency tops the list with Rs 7.94 crore liabilities, it added.

On their educational qualifications, it said a total of 15 ministers are graduates or have higher degrees, while 10 have education qualification of 12th standard or below.

A total of 9 ministers have declared their age between 25 to 50 years and 16 have declared theirs between 51 and 70 years. The youngest minister is Radadiya Jayeshbhai Vithalbhai aged 30.

Out of the 25 ministers, only one is woman - Nirmlaben Vadhvani.