Bihar’s annual disclosure of assets by IAS and IPS officers has shown that Patna’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Avkash Kumar holds more wealth than the state’s top cop, Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar. These declarations, made as per official protocol at the close of the financial year 2024–25, are part of a transparency initiative requiring Indian bureaucrats to declare their assets annually.
According to the disclosures, DGP Vinay Kumar owns assets worth ₹45.33 lakh. In contrast, SSP Avkash Kumar declared assets totaling ₹2.22 crore. His holdings include a plot in Bihta and a house in Anisabad, though the market value of these properties has not been publicly declared. The gap in asset values between these two top-ranking officers has become a topic of public interest.
The declaration also includes other high-ranking officers. Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena and his wife Barfi Meena reportedly hold ₹45,000 in cash and have deposited ₹37 lakh in bank accounts.
Wider Landscape of Bureaucratic Wealth
Among other prominent officials, Dr. S. Siddharth, ACS in the Education Department, reported savings of ₹34.79 lakh. His real estate holdings include a ₹25 lakh flat in Delhi, a ₹65 lakh house in Telangana, and a ₹1.35 crore flat in Tamil Nadu. In Patna alone, he owns a ₹95 lakh property.
District Magistrate of Patna declared assets of ₹80.21 lakh in real estate. IAS officer Vandana Padey reported assets of ₹2.65 crore. Meanwhile, the principal secretary to the Chief Minister, Kumar Ravi, declared property worth ₹2.64 crore.
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Interestingly, the Principal Secretary to the Governor, R.L. Chongthu, owns an old car purchased in 2013 and a Maruti Brezza bought in 2018. He has ₹10,000 in cash and ₹20 lakh in bank accounts.
Lowest Asset Holder: CM’s Secretary
The most modest declaration came from Anupam Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister. He declared only ₹5,000 in cash. Though he and his wife co-own a Bengaluru flat worth ₹91 lakh, his savings account holds ₹11.44 lakh.
Residence Commissioner Kundan Kumar reported ₹20,000 in cash, while his wife held a similar amount. He also declared ₹11.44 lakh in bank savings and a flat in Bengaluru bought in 2017.
A Window into Transparency and Accountability
These declarations, though mandated, offer rare insights into the personal finances of public officials and have sparked discussions about wealth accumulation and transparency in public service. While some officers own properties across states and maintain significant bank balances, others appear to lead a more modest financial life.