Boom in assets of 60 Himachal MLAs

NEWDELHI: The combined assets of Himachal Pradesh legislators who are running for re-election in Thursday’s assembly polls have increased substantially since 2012, an analysis of official data shows.

Among the 60 incumbents who are contesting again, their combined assets have increased from ₹314.3 crore in 2012 to ₹566.9 crore this year, a jump of 80%. These figures are derived from the candidates’ affidavits filed with the Election Commission and research by the Association for Democratic Reforms, a non-partisan group that advocates for government transparency.

A candidate’s wealth can increase even when he doesn’t acquire new assets. In many cases, the assets are in form of land, and at least a part of the increase can be on account of a spike in land prices.

Of those whose assets rose significantly, one MLA stands out.

In 2012, Yadvinder Goma declared assets worth ₹5.2 lakh. Five years after winning the Scheduled Caste-reserved constituency of Jaisinghpur, the 31-year-old Congress MLA’s assets are worth nearly ₹1.2 crore, an increase of about 2189%.

His acquisitions include ₹52 lakh of agricultural land, a ₹50 lakh residential property and, together with his wife, 300 grams of gold worth ₹6 lakh. In his affidavit, Goma declared that he earns money from agriculture and from his job as an MLA, which pays ₹55,000 per month.

Goma has been less active in assembly sessions than the average Himachal MLA, having spoken in two debates and asked 88 questions.

The average MLA spoke in nine debates and asked 117 questions, according to PRS Legislative Research. Goma did not respond to HT’s requests to comment on his assets and assembly participation.

The largest absolute increase was achieved by Balbir Singh Verma, who grew his assets from ₹41.2 crore in 2012 to ₹90.7 crore this year. Verma’s political allegiances have also changed. After winning the Chopal constituency as an independent in 2012, he is running on a BJP ticket this year.

Like Goma’s, the bulk of Verma’s assets increase came in the form of property. The value of his commercial property holdings alone increased by more than ₹45 crore. Verma also participated in fewer debates — five — than the average MLA. However, he asked 215 questions, more than the average MLA.

Verma also did not respond to requests to comment on his assets increase.