The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India will conduct a special audit into alleged “irregularities and violations” in the “reconstruction” of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal‘s residence, Raj Niwas officials said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had recommended the special CAG audit after taking note of a letter it received on May 24, officials at Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena’s office said. The letter was received from the LG office and it pointed out “gross and prima facie financial irregularities” in the “reconstruction” of the chief minister’s official residence, they claimed.
Terming the move “a brazen misuse of Central agencies by the BJP”, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said the saffron party “was disappointed at the emerging prospect of losing next year’s Lok Sabha elections”.
According to the report of the Chief Secretary, on the basis of which the MHA has requested the special audit, several alleged prima facie irregularities were found in the renovation of Kejriwal’s Civil Lines residence including “full-fledged construction/re-construction of a new building” by the Public Works Department and not obtaining mandatory sanction of Building Plans as per applicable building bylaws.
The LG, in his letter, underlined that these violations or “extravagant expenditure” took place at the behest of “Hon’ble CM Madam”, in an apparent reference to Kejriwal’s wife, during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also, the report alleged the ownership of the property was not ascertained by the PWD before commencing the construction. The mandatory and pre-required approvals were also not obtained from the ‘Building Committee’ of the PWD department till now.
The initial cost for construction work which was to be Rs 15-20 crore, inflated from time to time, and as per the report, a total expenditure of approximately Rs 53 crore has been spent to date, which is more than three times the initial estimate.
Also, accusations were levelled against Kejriwal that he violated norms while felling or transplanting trees. It also cited violations of the MPD-2021 and violations related to environmental norms among others.
“The decision to initiate the same CAG investigation once again is a clear reflection of the BJP’s frustration, paranoia, and authoritarian tendencies. Conducting a CAG inquiry is a prerogative of an elected government, and by interfering in the affairs of the Delhi government, the central government is violating constitutional principles,” the AAP alleged.
“It is evident that the BJP, troubled by its consecutive electoral defeats in Delhi, is not only tarnishing the reputation of the honest government led by CM Arvind Kejriwal but also engaging in clandestine efforts to undermine the established power structure. The concocted allegations, ranging from the so-called liquor scandal to alleged irregularities in the reconstruction of the CM’s residence, are part of a carefully orchestrated drama designed to divert public attention from the massive scams involving Adani, which continue unabated under the protective umbrella of Prime Minister Modi,” it added.
(With inputs from agencies)
