About 21% of Bengal ministers have criminal cases: ADR study

Nearly 21 per cent (nine of 42) of those in the new West Bengal ministry have criminal cases against them.

The average worth of assets of the 42 ministers was Rs 3.36 crore, said a study conducted by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a poll watch body, and the West Bengal Election Watch, also a group of civil society activists.

The report is based on an analysis of the self-sworn affidavits of the ministers, including the chief minister. Of the nine ministers with declared criminal cases, seven fall under the category of serious cases, including attempt to murder, kidnapping and communal disharmony, the report said.

The Trinamool Congress was voted back to power for a second term in the recent Assembly elections by winning 211 of the 294 seats. In the 2011 elections, TMC had won 184 seats. This ADR report said nearly 57 per cent of the ministers (24 of 42) have assets equal to or more than a crore. The minister with the highest declared assets was Jakir Hossain from Jangipur constituency, with assets worth Rs 28.04 crore, the report said. Hossain is minister of state for labour.

A total of 15 ministers have declared liabilities, out of which the minister with the highest liabilities was Javed Ahmed Khan from Kasba constituency with Rs 30.19 crore, the report said. About 79 per cent (33 of 42) of the ministers were graduates or have higher degrees while 21 (nine of 42), ministers have education qualification of Class XII pass or below.

 

Out of the 42 ministers, only four (10 per cent) were women, which included chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the report added.