Not ₹45 crore, but ₹171 crore spent for Kejriwal’s bungalow: Ajay Maken

Congress’s Ajay Maken on Sunday claimed the renovation of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s bungalow did not cost ₹45 crore but more than triple the amount — ₹171 crore. “There are four bildings around Kejriwal’s house which house 22 officers.

Since the renovation began, these flats are being vacated for the expansion of Kejriwal’s bungalow. Now, to accommodate the officers, the government bought 21 type-5 flats at Commonwealth Village at the cost of ₹6 crore each. This money comes from the state exchequer and this should be added to expenditure made for the CM’s bungalow,” Ajay Maken said.

The AAP govt dismissed the allegations earlier when the controversy over Kejriwal’s bungalow broke out and said much more have been splurged by other CMs and PM Modi himself.

Ajay Maken said he will write to the L-G highlighting how Delhi’s masterplan has been disrespected. “Higher FAR (floor area ratio) shall not be permissible in redevelopment in Lutyens Bungalow area, Civil Lines area and monument regulated zone,” Maken said.

“I remember when I used to go there, this is a single-storey building. This area is older than Lutyen’s area. And today, they are making three floors across 20,000 square feet. I want to ask the people of Delhi whether this is not a violation of Delhi’s heritage,” the Congress leader said adding that 28 full-grown trees have been felled for the renovation.

The budget for this major redevelopment was passed by the government but it was never mentioned that the money will be spent on the chief minister’s house.

Amid the row over Kejriwal’s bungalow, L-G VK Saxena has directed chief secretary Naresh Kumar to secure all relevant records, examine the records, and submit a report within 15 days for the perusal of the LG.

“This has reference to various media reports, published in both electronic and print media, on alleged gross irregularities committed while carrying out the renovation of No.6 Flag Staff House, Civil Lines by PWD. LG, while taking note of media reports and keeping in view the sensitivity of the issue, has desired that all relevant records in this matter be immediately secured and taken into protective custody. Subsequently, after the records are examined, a factual report in the matter be submitted within 15 days for the perusal of the LG,” a letter dated April 27 written by the LG office to the chief secretary stated.