Over ₹33 crore was spent on renovating the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence, significantly exceeding the initial estimate of ₹7.9 crore, according to an audit report. The renovation, initiated in 2020, included luxury additions such as an 88-inch OLED TV for ₹28.9 lakh, ten other OLED TVs for ₹43.9 lakh, a high-end refrigerator for ₹3.2 lakh, and kitchen appliances worth over ₹8 lakh. Furniture and furnishings, including beds and sofas, cost ₹13 lakh, while a jacuzzi, sauna, and spa installation cost ₹19.5 lakh.
An additional ₹19.8 crore was used to construct seven servant quarters, a diversion from funds originally allocated for building a staff block. The 21,000 sq. ft. property features eight bedrooms, three meeting rooms, two drawing rooms, two kitchens, 12 toilets, and a dining hall, furnished with high-end amenities such as Bose ceiling speakers and 50 indoor air conditioners.
The audit, which covers the period up to March 2022, flagged irregularities in expenditure and questioned the lack of feasibility studies and transparency in contractor selection. The Public Works Department (PWD) revised estimates multiple times without tendering for additional works amounting to ₹25.8 crore, including ₹18 crore spent on superior and ornamental items.
The matter has sparked political controversy, with allegations of wasteful spending during the pandemic. The report highlighted incomplete records and insufficient documentation to validate expenses, raising concerns about accountability in executing the renovation project.
