The Cabinet Division on Tuesday released asset statements of advisers serving in the interim government. According to the disclosure, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus owned total assets worth more than Tk 156.24 million as of 30 June last year.

A year earlier, his total wealth stood at Tk 140.14 million. This indicates an increase of approximately Tk 16.1 million over one year.

Professor Yunus explained that the rise in assets resulted mainly from the encashment of savings certificates, growth in fixed and savings deposits, and shares received through inheritance.

The asset statement also shows that his wife, Afrozi Yunus, possesses total assets valued at Tk 12.76 million, compared to Tk 21.18 million in the previous fiscal year. As a result, her declared wealth decreased by about Tk 8.41 million during the year.

Under income tax regulations, a taxpayer’s assets include movable and immovable property, financial holdings, and capital investments.

According to the details, Professor Yunus’s financial assets amount to Tk 147.66 million, up from Tk 131.87 million a year earlier. His non-financial assets are valued at Tk 2.11 million, slightly higher than the previous year’s Tk 2.09 million. He also holds overseas assets worth Tk 6.47 million, compared to Tk 6.18 million last year.

Officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) said that the definition of personal assets was aligned with international standards when the Income Tax Act of 2023 was formulated. Financial assets include cash, bank deposits, savings instruments, shares, and dividends, while non-financial assets cover land, houses, flats, plots, and other immovable property.

Afrozi Yunus’s asset statement shows financial assets worth Tk 451,860, down significantly from Tk 9.54 million a year earlier. Her non-financial assets, however, increased to Tk 12.31 million from Tk 11.64 million. She does not hold any assets abroad.

While the Chief Adviser has no declared liabilities, his wife has liabilities amounting to Tk 1.7 million.

In a national address on 25 August 2024, Professor Yunus had pledged strong action against corruption and announced that all advisers would disclose their income and asset statements within the shortest possible time. He also said that asset disclosures would eventually be made mandatory for all government officials and mentioned plans to introduce an ordinance for appointing an ombudsman under Article 77 of the Constitution.

Later, on 1 October 2024, the government issued the “Income and Asset Disclosure Policy for Advisers and Equivalent Officials of the Interim Government, 2024.” Under the policy, advisers and officials of equivalent status are required to submit their income tax returns and asset statements within 15 working days after the final tax filing deadline. Separate disclosures are required if spouses have independent income. The Chief Adviser is authorized to make these disclosures public through appropriate means.

The delay in releasing the statements had drawn criticism in recent months. On Monday, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the disclosures would be published within a day or two.

Following the fall of the Awami League government after the student-led uprising on 5 August 2024, an interim government headed by Professor Yunus was formed on 8 August. After several changes, the advisory council currently consists of 21 members, including the Chief Adviser. In addition, four officials serve as special assistants, envoys, and national security adviser with advisory rank, while four special assistants hold the status of state ministers. Asset statements of all these officials were released on Tuesday.