New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) Close to Rs.1 crore is the average increase in assets registered by Manipur legislators re-contesting the elections, data compiled by a think tank here says.

According to data from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW), on an average each recontesting legislator in Manipur has registered an increase of Rs.98.08 lakh in assests since the last polls.

The data has been compiled on the basis of declarations made my the legislators, compared to their declaration during the last elections.

Of the 41 recontesting legislators, 27 are from the Congress, with average assets worth Rs.1.11 crore.

Congress’ T.N. Haokip is also the legislator who has registered the highest increase of more than Rs.9 crore in his assets since 2007.

In 2007, Haokip declared his assets to be worth Rs.29 lakh, which has increased to over Rs.10 crore in 2012.

Congress’ K. Govindas is second in the list, registering a boost of Rs.2 crore in his assets.

The National People’s Party (NPP), which is in close fight with Congress, has two legislators. Their asseets increased by Rs.1.87 crore on average.

Of the 258 candidtes analysed, 33, or 13 percent, are billionaires.

A total of 170 candidates (66 percent) have declared they have never filed income tax returns.