Kunhalikutty, Adoor Prakash richest ministers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty is the richest among the ministers in Oommen Chandy cabinet when the assets of ministers and top officials of the UDF Government were declared on Saturday. However, it also invited criticism for the incomplete details in listing out the wealth available in the websit www.pa.kerala.gov.in  Kunhalikutty tops the list with liquid assets, including bank deposits, worth Rs 1.4 crore in his name and in the name of family members. But there are a few like Health Minister Adoor Prakash who owns vast tracts of land and buildings, the market value of which has not been posted along with the inventory of assets. Kunhalikutty also declared that his family is possessing 850 grams of gold ornaments gifted by his father-in-law and wife’s relatives. The fixed deposits of the minister is in various bank branches, ranging from Rs 68 lakh in a single account of HDFC Bank, Calicut branch to Rs 4 lakh in SBT Sulthan Bathery branch. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and family has Rs 21.86 lakh as deposits in commercial and non-banking finance institutions. Adoor Prakash is not only the richest with the extent of land and flats in his stable, but also declared 3,190 grams of gold, the highest owned by a minister in the state. Finance Minister K M Mani has just Rs 5 lakh by way of deposits and 250 grams of  gold jewellery in his wife’s name.  Labour Minister Shibu Baby John, who has huge shareholdings in various family concerns, has around Rs 26 lakh as deposits, but is burdened with Rs 1.16 crore as liabilities. Food and Civil Supplies Minister T M Jacob has declared around Rs 15 lakh as deposits in various financial institutions. Forest Minister K B Ganesh Kumar has 1,200 grams of gold jewellery in addition to Rs 3 lakh plus in bank deposits and three vehicles. Irrigation Minister P J Joseph has declared only his immovable land assets and commercial buildings owned by him at Thodupuzha. P K Jayalakshmi, the ST Welfare Minister, is obviously the poorest among ministers, with Rs 2 lakh as recurring deposit and 30 gold sovereigns. Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar and family is in possession of 112 grams of gold jewellery and 33 cents of land in Eranad taluk of Malappuram.