Delhi LG orders probe into Kejriwal's lavish Bungalow renovation
A controversy erupted after Arvind Kejriwal was accused by the BJP of spending around Rs 45 crore on the "beautification" of his official residence -- 6, Flagstaff Road in Delhi"s Civil Lines.
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New Delhi, Apr 29: Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena took note of reports of alleged irregularities during the renovation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence and sought records from the Delhi government over the matter.
A controversy erupted after Arvind Kejriwal was accused by the BJP of spending around Rs 45 crore on the "beautification" of his official residence -- 6, Flagstaff Road in Delhi's Civil Lines. The L-G directed the Chief Secretary to examine the records and submit a report within 15 days.
The Hon’ble LG has rightly directed the CS for a factual report on Kejriwal ka Mahal on which ₹45cr was blown up to fix superior quality , hyper expensive marble , curtains, toilet seats & more
— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) April 29, 2023
This is a renovation of the mindset of Kejriwal & it also stinks of a CWG style… pic.twitter.com/3iCxcdollu
"Delhi L-G took cognizance of media reports (on alleged gross irregularities committed during the renovation of the Chief Minister's residence) and keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter, directed the Chief Secretary to immediately secure and take all records relating to the matter into protective custody. Subsequently, after examination of records, a factual report on the matter be submitted within 15 days," the LG's office said. According to top sources in the Delhi government, the L-G told the Chief Secretary to source all the files related to the renovation of the Chief Minister's residence on priority. "Earlier in some cases, including excise policy matters, a few files went missing and the evidence was allegedly wiped out. Based on the files, the Chief Secretary will look into the roles of different officers in the PWD department and even the roles of ministers," sources said. It will also be investigated if some financial rules were also being changed to facilitate permissions for renovation and who was responsible for the same, they added. "On the basis of all the above, the Chief Secretary will file a detailed factual report in 15 days, which will also define the responsibilities of all those involved," sources further said. Documents provided by sources showed that a total of Rs 44.78 crores against a sanctioned amount of Rs 43.70 crores was spent on the "addition/alternation" of Arvind Kejriwal's government accommodation on 6, Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines. The amount was spent in six trenches between September 9, 2020, to June 2022, the documents showed. According to the documents, the total expenditure included Rs 11.30 crore on interior decoration, Rs 6.02 crore on stone and marble flooring, Rs one crore on interior consultancy, Rs 2.58 crore on electrical fittings and appliances, Rs 2.85 crore on fire fighting system, Rs 1.41 crores on wardrobe and accessories fitting, and Rs 1.1 crore on kitchen appliances. A separate amount of Rs 8.11 crores out of the sanctioned amount of Rs 9.99 crores was spent on the camp office of the chief minister at his official residence, it showed.
The BJP ran a poster campaign on social media, taking a jibe at Arvind Kejriwal over the "beautification of his official residence for Rs 45 crores". Posters were also put up on some streets of Delhi. The BJP also tweeted a superimposed picture of Kejriwal over the issue. "A true story of renovating the RajMahal with 45 crores by the common man!" the party said.