Ministers’ wealth sees exponential increase

The net worth of another 10 cabinet members has increased exponentially over the past 10 years, according to their wealth statements submitted ahead of the 11th parliamentary election.

Some of these statements are filled with interesting information.

State minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam topped the list, even his losing concerns now making profit. State minister for labour Md Mujibul Haque Chunnu has no clue about his wife’s jewellery and its worth.

Textile and jute minister Emaz Uddin Pramanik’s declaration had no mention of his allowance. State minister for education Kazi Keramot Ali has outstanding dues of Tk 2.6 million for construction materials purchased for building his house.

Shahriar and wife’s wealth sees exponential growth

According to his wealth statement, state minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam is in the top echelons of wealthy cabinet members. His intangible property has seen a surge from Tk 31.20 million in 2014 to Tk 657.80 million in 2018. In that span of time, wife’s wealth has also increased from Tk 10.40 million to Tk 94.30 million.

And Tk 593.34 million of Shahriar and his wife’s intangible property has been invested in the share market.

His annual income has also spiralled up. In 2014, he incurred a loss of Tk 2.5 million in business but now he makes profit of over Tk 26.40 million annually.

No info on Pramanik’s allowance

Textile and jute minister Pramanik gave an estimate of his total intangible assets as Tk 1.7 million in 2008 that increased to Tk 6.5 million this year.

The minister, however, did not mention about his annual income and allowance as a minister and a member of parliament.

Anisul Islam’s assets doubled

Environment and forest minister Anisul Islam Mahmud’s intangible assets increased twice in 10 years. He had shown an amount of total intangible property worth Tk 120 million in 2008 that has increased to Tk 260 million in 2018.

The minister’s annual income increased by 12 times in 10 years. His current annual income is Tk 40 million that used to be Tk 3.3 million in 2008, according to his declaration.

Multiple income sources of chief whip

The number of income sources of MP for Patuakhali-2 and parliament chief whip ASM Firoz has increased this year. In the ninth general election, Firoz showed earnings of Tk 2.7 million from house rent. The income increased fourfold this time due to additional income sources like interest from bank deposits, allowances received as freedom fighter and MP.

His annual income turned to be Tk 13 million and his intangible asset is Tk 21 million in 2018, according to the declaration.

Mujibul does not know about his wife’s jewellery

The state minister for labour does not know how much jewellery his wife possesses and its worth.

The Jatiya Party leader has given a detailed list of intangible assets. However, he wrote, ‘value unknown’. He wrote the same in the previous election as well.

Mujibul Haque owns intangible assets worth around Tk 45 million, most of which is cash, bank deposits, company shares or saving certificates. Five years ago, his total intangible assets were Tk 14.5 million.

Wife is wealthier than state minister of land

State minister for land Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed’s income and intangible assets decreased in the past five years while the amount of tangible resources increased.

On the contrary, his wife’s wealth and income increased. The minister said that income has been reduced due to giving up his profitable position.

Wealth of Nuruzzaman increased

The income of state minister for social welfare Nuruzzaman Ahmed has increased significantly in the form of cash and bank savings in the last five years. In 2014, he had Tk 86,000 but now the amount is Tk 24.80 million. He has a fishery on 35 bighas of land.

Nuruzzaman’s annual income is around Tk 3.43 million, the statement says.

Keramat’s outstanding dues Tk 2.6 million

Education state minister Keramat Ali has outstanding dues of Tk 2.6 million for purchasing house building materials. He has a home loan of Tk 3.5 million.

Keramat’s annual income has increased from Tk 350,000 to Tk 5.35 million in five years.