One hundred ninety-eight civil items and 40 electrical items totalling Rs 18.88 crore, like a modular kitchen worth Rs 68.76 lakh and sheer curtains worth Rs 95.9 lakh, were executed as extra items without any recordable reasons.
CNN-News18 has accessed the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report into the expenditure on the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence. It reveals that Rs 33.66 crore was spent on the project, 342 per cent more than the estimated cost. Various irregularities at all project stages have been flagged in the CAG report, which is still to be tabled in the Delhi assembly and is not public yet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over this, saying the Sheeshmahal (CMs residence) was the epitome of corruption, and this issue is expected to become now a major election plank for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi.
“This work was awarded at the tendered cost of Rs 8.62 crore, which was 13.21 per cent above the estimated cost of Rs 7.61 crore.”. The work was completed in April 2022, and a final payment of Rs 33.66 crore was made to the contractor. The work awarded at 13.21 per cent above the estimated cost was finally completed at 342.31 per cent above the estimated cost and 290.49 per cent above the tendered amount,” the CAG report says.
The BJP has alleged that the CAG Report, which audits PWD expenditures only until March 31, 2022, is just the tip of the iceberg. “Far more was spent by Kejriwal on his Sheeshmahal till at least the middle of 2023. Even in the CAG Report, it’s clearly mentioned that it was not provided with full information.” The stock prepared recently by PWD after Kejriwal vacated Sheeshmahal has materials and luxury goods worth crores.
