Mangalore: Refuting allegation on the doubling of wealth ‘after assuming charge in the central ministry’, Union Railway Minister D.V Sadananda Gowda clarified on Sunday saying the increase of wealth was through ‘transparent and legitimate means’.
According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW), Sadananda Gowda was the only minister in the Narendra Modi’s cabinet, whose income was doubled from the declarations filed for the Lok Sabha elections in May this year and those sent about five months later to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Gowda’s wealth was shot from Rs 9.88 crore as declared in the Lok Sabha elections to Rs 20.35 crore now, showing the greatest increase, rising by Rs 10.46 crore since he took over as minister.
Clarifying the issue at the press meet, the union minister said “I had applied for loan from the Federal Bank before the May elections, while the amount was sanctioned after elections. Hence, there were differences in two separate asset declarations”.
In the note circulated with a letter head of Federal Bank by the minister states, “DV Sadananda Gowda as availed rent securitization loan of Rs 8 lakh against the rent receivables from M/s Ramaiah Foundation, Bangalore and received Rs 2 crore as advance amounts from the tenants. The limit was sanctioned on November 20 and further revalidates on May 23. The limit was disbursed on May 23, on the same day property was registered in his name and was mortgaged to us”, it reads. In addition to it, I received Rs 2 crore from the tenants as rental charges, he added.
Clarifying that the assets were amassed through transparent and legitimate means, he said “There is no linkage to my ministership. I have not used public money nor from the government treasury.
