KATHMANDU: Home Minister Sudan Gurung has issued a strong response to those questioning his recent public disclosure of assets.
Taking to Instagram Stories, Gurung defended his position and issued a warning-style message, stating that being born poor is not a mistake, but dying poor is.
“Being born poor is not your fault, but dying poor is your fault,” he wrote. “Earning without corruption before entering government is not a sin. But earning through corruption after entering government is a sin.”
His remarks come shortly after the publication of his asset details on Sunday.
According to the disclosure, Gurung owns land exceeding the legal ceiling in Gorkha District. He also holds 19 ropani and 15 aana of land in Dhankuta District, which he has stated was accumulated through investment, though he has not publicly clarified the source of income.
Additionally, records show 30 katthas of land in Bharatpur–18, Gunjanagar, registered under his father Dil Bahadur Gurung.
The disclosure also mentions 221 ropanis of land in Gorkha District under the name of his grandfather Ramsal Gurung, which remains undivided among family members.
Under existing land laws, holding more than 80 ropanis of land in hill districts is subject to legal ceiling restrictions.
Questions have been raised regarding the source of income used to acquire the properties listed in the declaration.
Comment