Refuting criticism by the BJP on the issue of Rs 91,000 power bill at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence, the Government on Tuesday responded that it has included electricity charges for a camp office as well and various other facilities installed for visitors at the complex.
In a statement, the Government said the monthly electricity expenditure at the CM’s residence at 6, Flag Staff Road in Civil lines area is around Rs 15,000 which is “nowhere close” to the figure being reported in the media. The Delhi BJP had slammed Kejriwal for “high power bills” and accused him of spending public money for personal comfort
Giving a break-up of the bills for last three months, the government said the electricity charges for March was Rs 17,000, it was Rs 7,370 in April and Rs 22,690 in May.
The Government said a portion of the premises was allocated as the “private residence” of the CM and separate electricity connection was installed for the same.
“The General Administration Department created some facilities for the Janta Samvad, office work and other peripheral activities relating to function of Chief Minister’s office in the same premises. Separate electricity connection was installed for this portion,” the government said.
The electricity charges for this portion in March was Rs 15,175, Rs 48,630 in April while for May it is yet to be paid, according to the statement.
Power Minister Satyender Jain said a number of other bills for electricity consumption in the residential premises have been clubbed with actual power consumption at the actual residence.