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 official bungalow at Flag Staff Road.
The Union Home Ministry has recommended the special CAG audit taking note of a May 24 letter by Lieutenant-Governor VK Saxena which pointed out "gross and prima facie financial irregularities" in the "reconstruction" of the Chief Minister's official residence. A massive controversy broke out in April this year after it was revealed that over Rs 52.71 crore had been spent to renovate the Chief Minister’s official residence.
In his letter to the MHA, Saxena said the "alleged irregularities" were highlighted by the media after which Delhi's Chief Secretary submitted a factual report on April 27 and then again on May 12. “The reports detailed deviations, violations from rules, regulations and guidelines by the Public Works Department and the Delhi Government in the name of renovation of the Chief Minister's residence", he said. According to the reports of the Chief Secretary, a full-fledged construction/re-construction of a new building was carried out by the PWD in the name of renovation, the L-G's letter said.
The report also flagged that the ownership of the property was not ascertained by the PWD before commencing the construction, it said.
The mandatory and pre-required sanction of the Building Plans in terms of applicable building bylaws were not obtained from the Building Committee of the PWD till now, according to the letter, based on the reports.
"Initially the proposal was to provide additional accommodation in the residence of the Chief Minister, however later on the proposal was approved by the Minister for an entirely new construction after demolition of the existing building," it said. The initial cost for construction work was Rs 15 to Rs 20 crore, the report said, adding that it was inflated from time-to-time, it said.
As per the report, a total of Rs 52,71,24,570 (approximately Rs 53 crore) has been spent till date which is more than three times the initial estimate, the letter said.
"Further, records show that to avoid approvals from the Principal Secretary (PWD) who has been delegated powers for giving financial sanction above Rs 10 crore, split sanctions of amount less than Rs 10 crore on every occasion were obtained convolutedly," the report said, according to the letter.
The report had also flagged the "gross violation of the MPD-2021" or Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) which is the law of the land in matters of land and spatial development/redevelopment, it said.
"To avoid obtaining approval of Competent Authority for felling/transplantation of trees of more than 10 numbers, as per Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, split approvals were taken five times for felling/transplantation of 9,2,6,6 and 5 i.e total 28 trees. This issue regarding violation of Environmental Laws is also pending before NGT," it said.
Last month, the Delhi Government's Vigilance Directorate submitted a report to the L-G on the expenses of the renovation of the Chief Minister's house. According to that report, Kejriwal's official residence incurred a total cost of Rs 52.71 crore.
The cost of Rs 52.71 crore included Rs 33.49 crore spent on the construction of the house and Rs 19.22 crore on a camp office for the Chief Minister, the report said, citing records of the PWD.