Himachal legislators get wealthier; 44 crorepatis

With the new Himachal Pradesh legislators all set to take over the reins of the state, the assets of its legislators have shown an unprecedented rise, in some cases the wealth has swollen more than 1,500 per cent.

Bumber Thakur, Congress MLA from Bilaspur, has declared the highest percentage increase in assets of 7,463 per cent, from Rs 1.35 lakh in 2007 to Rs 1.02 crore this year.

Rajiv Sanhjal, a BJP MLA from Kasauli (SC), has shown a percentage increase of 1,936 per cent in assets, from Rs 1.53 lakh in 2007 to Rs 31.15 lakh in 2012.

BJP MLA from Jhanduta (SC), Rikhi Ram's assets went up by 874 per cent, from Rs 13.41 lakhs in 2007 to Rs 1.30 crores.

Brij Behari Lal Butail, a Congress MLA from Palampur, is the richest legislator with 169 crore assets under his belt, followed by Balbir Singh Verma, who won as independent from Chopal in Shimla (joined Congress later). He has declared 41 crore assets.

Chief Minister elect Vir Bhadra Singh was at the fourth position in the list with Rs 33 crore figure.

The data was released by ADR (National Election watch) here today.

There are a total of 44 crorepati MLA's including 26 Congressmen.

ADR's representative Abha Baiya said here that Palampur MLA, Butail, has declared the highest increase in assets at Rs 77.29 crore. His assets have grown from Rs 91.92 crore in 2007 to Rs 169.21 crore in 2012.

Assets of Anil Kumar, son of former communication minister Sukh Ram (a Congress MLA from Mandi) were increased by Rs 26.59 crore, from Rs 3.11 crore in 2007 to Rs 29.70 crore in 2012.

Assets of GS Bali (Congress MLA from Nagrota) have risen by Rs 21.03 crore, from Rs 3.81 crores in 2007 to Rs 24.85 crore in 2012.

... contd.

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