Baba Ramdev declares multi-crore assets

Agencies

Haridwar, 09 June 2011:  Baba Ramdev has declared Patanjali Yog Peeth’s assets worth several hundred crores, and promised maximum transparency of holdings in future as well.

 

Baba declared assets - totaling nearly Rs 426 crore - of four of his trusts at a press conference here . He has stressed that the assets have been built up using donations from his followers.

 

Ramdev’s aide Acharya Balkrishna declared, “The total assets of Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust are 164 crore and 80 lakh. Divya Yog Mandir Trust’s total assets are 249 crore 63 lakh. The total assets of Bharat Swabhiman trust are 9 crore 97 lakh and that of Acharya Kulam are 1 crore 59 lakh.”

 

As per reports, over 200 businesses from Aastha TV to food, herbal medicine parks are run by the trust.

 

 

The finance ministry is said to be not probing any specific charge against him but is carrying out a detailed income tax survey.

 

However, there are specific allegations on him. He has been accused of grabbing fertile farmland, besides stamp duty evasion.

 

Ever since the talks between Ramdev and government collapsed and the Ramlila police crackdown, Congress leader Digvijay Singh has been demanding that financial dealings of Ramdev be thoroughly probed.

 

Ramdev’s right-hand man Acharya Balkrishna is also under scrutiny. As per reports, Uttarakhand Intelligence Bureau has confirmed that Balkrishna may have violated the Arms Act. The Prime Minister’s office has ordered a probe in the case.

 

Meanwhile Ramdev clarified that he is not ending his fast - now in its the sixth day. Doctors have advised him to end his fast in view of his deteriorating health but for now the yoga guru is adamant on continuing the fast till the govt agrees to his demand that government take steps to bring back black money and formulate tough anti-graft laws.