Close to Rs 30 crore spent in 7 years after civil works at Kejriwal CM residence, reveals RTI

A RTI response has revealed that Delhi government has spent close to a whopping Rs 30 crore only after the civil works at the official residence of the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal between a period of 31st March 2015 and 27th December 2022. The RTI response has stoked a political storm with BJP calling it Kejriwal’s hypocrisy in calling himself an “Aam Aadmi” (common man). 

The information was sought by a Maharashtra based RTI activist Ajay Basudev Bose, the same man whose RTI query about Railway station selfie points featuring PM Narendra Modi had triggered a political debate. In his application, Bose asked for “Amount spent on Civil, Plumbing, Electrical, Sewage, Carpentry works at the official Residence of Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal from date 31st March 2015 to 27th December 2022.”

Responding to the application, the RTI stated, “Total expenditure incurred during the period from 2015 to 2022 is Rs. 295635074/- for Civil works only.” The RTI had even given a break up of the expenses under specific contractors. Bose had asked for the names of the contractors hired for work and the amount paid to them within the same period, from 31st March 2015 to 27th December 2022. The RTI response revealed names of 4 contractors- “Munzareen Ahmad = Rs. 21,89,666; M/s M.A. Builders = Rs. 8,76,626; Mohd. Arshad = Rs. 17,21,649; and M/s A.K. Bulders = Rs. 29,08,47,133.”

BJP has lashed out at Kejriwal, calling it the real face of a party that swears by “aam aadmi”. BJP national spokesperson while sharing the RTI response on ‘X’, said “Sheeshmahal of Kejriwal has curtains worth crores, toilet seat worth lakhs & obscene spending. Even mere civil works saw Kejriwal splurge almost ₹30cr. YEH HAI AAM ADMI!”

Kejriwal’s official residence had come under the scanner after media reports indicated exorbitant amount of money was spent after the renovation. BJP has been alleging that Rs 45 crore was utilised for the renovation of the chief minister’s bungalow at 6, Flagstaff Road between 2020-22. Aam Aadmi Party is yet to react on the RTI revelations.