Rs 96 lakh on curtains, splurge on marbles to TVs: CAG report on Kejriwal's CM residence

A simple vitrified floor tile which cost Rs 5.5 lakh was replaced with Italian marble stone of Rs 14 lakh, a direct jump of Rs 9 lakh -- one of the hundreds of things that were substituted with material of superior specification during the renovation of Delhi CM's official residence at 6, Flag Staff road, an audit report from Comptroller and Auditor General has revealed.

The massive escalation in cost of renovation which reportedly went from initial estimates of Rs 7.91 crore to Rs 33.66 crores upon completion has stoked a major controversy ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections with the AAP and opposition parties -- BJP and Congress -- going all guns blazing at the ruling party.

The CAG audit report, which is yet to be tabled in the Delhi Assembly, showed a range of expensive items which were used in either renovating or decorating the CM's house which has 8 bedrooms, 3 meeting rooms, 2 drawing rooms, 1 dining room, 2 kitchens and 12 toilets.

The wall tiles in initial estimates was around Rs 20 lakh which was replaced with “marble stone” costing around Rs 66 lakh. Similarly, a thermostatic shower mixture with 3-way diverter was changed with a hi-flow thermostat trim that escalated the cost by Rs 40 lakh.

The “towel racks” or even “soap holders” were bought from the Jaquar company. The mount shower was chrome polished and the brass handles were replaced with stainless steel. Only these four things shot up the price by Rs 54 lakh.

A list of high-end appliances used at the CM's residence were also listed in the CAG report -- one 88-inch voice controlled OLED TV of Rs 28.91 lakh, three 77-inch TVs of Rs 20.71 lakh, six 65-inch TVs of Rs 20.62 lakhs, and one 55-inch TV of Rs 55 lakh.

Another thing which caught the eye were two big size 73-litre steam ovens with touch screen panels costing Rs 6.5 lakh, a 50-litre oven of Rs 1.8 lakh, and a fully automatic frontload washing machine worth nearly Rs 2 lakhs.

As per the CAG report, work, although awarded at 8.62 crore being 13.21 per cent above the estimated cost, was finally completed at 33.66 crore being 342.31 per cent above the estimated cost.

The audit observed that during execution, the PWD increased the built up area from 1,397 sqm to 1,905 sqm (36 per cent) and also altered the applicable specifications of the work by executing several items of superior specifications, artistic and antique items, ornamental works (both Civil and Electrical/Services).

To cover the cost, PWD had to revise the preliminary estimates at least four times, The Tribune has learnt.

Among the ultra-luxury items found at the Delhi chief minister's residence and highlighted in the audit report include Rs 96 lakh on curtains, Rs 73 lakh on LED TVs, Rs 50 lakh on LED lighting and Rs 12.75 lakh entrance sconce outdoor lights, Rs 50 lakh worth of carpets, Rs 18.52 lakh on gym equipment, and Rs 4.8 lakh on a minibar.

Besides, Rs 41.5 lakh worth of SS railing and staircase, Rs 19.55 lakh worth steam, sauna and jacuzzi baths, Rs 10.2 lakh worth three wooden doors and Rs 13 lakh on five beds and over Rs 4 lakh on five recliners.

The audit revealed that the CM's residence was provided with lifts and sliding doors worth Rs 61.13 lakh, modular kitchens on ground, first and second floors costing Rs 31.62 lakh, Rs 32.14 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectively.

While the wardrobe in master bedroom was of Rs 7.69 lakh, that on the second master bedroom was worth Rs 5.57 lakh. Another dresser wardrobe in the master bedroom was of Rs 5.55 lakh, while that on master bedroom on first floor of Rs 7.92 lakh and in other bedrooms of around Rs 5 lakh each.

Vanity in toilets, attached to bedrooms, was worth around Rs 1 lakh each. Diamond polishing of marble work/granite work, also costed Rs 7.83 lakh, while for flooring thick pre-polished granite stone for doors and windows, an additional Rs 1 crore was spent, the audit report said.

Another Rs 79.85 lakh was spent on marble stone flooring and Rs 38.25 lakh for factory-made designer railing, it said.

Following the report, Congress leader and party's candidate from New Delhi constituency Sandeep Dikshit took a dig at Kejriwal and questioned on how the household expenses of those who do politics in the name of common man have escalated this far.

“Mini bar for the meeting of common man! The reason for removing Bapu's picture is now clear. “Hardline honest” people are found only in the palaces of hypocrisy,” Dikshit posted on X.

AAP has denied the charges as diversionary ploys on Delhi poll eve. The BJP has called the entire house project a scam.