The assets of at least three union ministers have increased since they assumed office five months ago, a joint statement by the National Election Watch and Association of Democratic Reforms said on Friday.

The highest increase in assets in five months was shown by Railway Minister DV Sadananda Gowda."His assets have shown an increase of Rs 10.46 crores, from Rs 9.88 crores as declared in Lok Sabha 2014 elections to Rs 20.35 crores in the 2014 declarations of the Union Council of Ministers to the PMO," the statement said.

Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Radhakrishnan P was a distant second. His assets showed an increase of Rs 2.98 crores, while Finance Minister Arun Jaitley showed an increase of Rs 1.01 crores.

The statement said that upon analysis it was found that the cause of changes in assets was largely due to the lack of any standardised format for ministers` asset declarations.

The statement said that 16 ministers have shown a decrease in assets. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj showed a decrease of Rs 3.89 crores. She is followed by Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region VK Singh who declared a decrease of Rs 3.13 crores. He is followed by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan who declared a decrease of Rs 1.28 crores.