Tag: renovation

Kejriwal House Row: LG seeks chief secy’s report on Delhi CM’s house renovation

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New Delhi: Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has sought a detailed report from the chief secretary within a week into allegations levelled by Congress leader Ajay Maken about “extravagant” expenditure and violations in the renovation of the chief minister’s official residence.
Also, the National Green Tribunal has formed a panel, which includes the chief secretary, to ascertain the factual position after a petition claimed violation of environmental norms by the public works department (PWD) in carrying out constructions at the chief minister’s residence and properties adjacent to it.
However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hit out at Maken over his letter to the LG in which he has sought a probe into the alleged violations, calling him a puppet of the BJP in Delhi and stating that false claims were being made to tarnish Kejriwal’s image.

In a letter to the LG, Congress’ senior spokesperson Ajay Maken had claimed that the amount spent on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence was not Rs 45 crore but Rs 171 crore and that too during the time of the Covid pandemic when people were struggling to get hospital beds and oxygen.
Maken had also expressed his deep concern and disappointment regarding the “extravagant” expenditure, environmental damage, and violation of heritage protection and zonal plans in the construction of the chief minister’s residence in Delhi.
After receiving the letter, the L-G in a communication to the chief secretary directed that a report be submitted to him within seven days.
“Hon’ble LG has desired that a detailed report on each of the issues raised in the aforesaid representation be furnished within seven days,” the communication read.
The NGT, meanwhile, asked the committee it has set up to submit a report within three weeks and in case of violations, take remedial action in coordination with the statutory authorities in accordance with law.

It was hearing a petition alleging permanent and semi-permanent constructions were raised and more than 20 trees cut in the course of developing 6, Flag Staff Road (CM’s residence) and 45-47 Rajpur Road (properties adjoining it).
“In view of the significance of the requirement of compliance for cutting trees and providing green belt as a condition for constructions in the congested and polluted city of Delhi, we consider it necessary to ascertain the factual position by constituting a joint committee ,” a bench of chairperson Justice A K Goel said.
The bench constituted the committee comprising the chief secretary and Principal Secretary (Environment & Forest) of Delhi along with a nominee of the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) and the District Magistrate of North Delhi.
“Meeting of the committee may be held within one week and report may be furnished within three weeks from today The committee will be free to interact with any other department or authority and undertake a visit to the site and it may meet online or offline as may be found viable,” the bench said.
The AAP alleged that the BJP and Congress are colluding against it.
“Everyone knows that this is a false case meant to tarnish the image of Kejriwal ji. Ajay Maken’s complaint shows that BJP and Congress are both together and working against AAP,” it alleged in a statement on the LG’s decision.
“Ajay Maken is a puppet of the BJP in Delhi. What does the Congress have to say about the Rs 2000 cr liquor scam in Chhattisgarh?” the party said,
Claiming that the renovation of the chief minister’s house has violated the Master Plan Delhi (MPD) 2021, Maken had alleged that it has been constructed in the Civil Lines Old Bungalow Zone, an area protected under MPD 2021.
The AAP has maintained that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence was built in 1942 and the roof had collapsed thrice. Following the roof collapse incidents, the Public Works Department suggested a new house be built, the party had said `
“The construction of the new CM house has cost the exchequer around Rs 171 crore, with 15 out of 22 officers’ houses adjacent to CM’s house at Flagstaff Road being demolished or got vacated,” he said.
“The rest have been asked to not re-allot with time. This figure (Rs 171 crore) includes around Rs 126 crore spent on purchasing 21 new Type 5 flats in the CWG Village to compensate for the housing shortage,” the former Delhi Congress chief had claimed in the letter.
“I thus request you to conduct an inquiry into the matter. And if found guilty, grant sanction for prosecution of the principal beneficiary, the chief minister and the principal perpetrator the PWD minister of GNCTD,” Maken had said.
The BJP has accused the city’s AAP government of having splurged Rs 45 crore on renovating and refurbishing the official residence of Chief Minister Kejriwal.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by Siasat staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 9, 2023
Ajay Maken writes to Delhi L-G seeking probe into renovation at Kejriwal’s residence

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New Delhi: A day after alleging that renovation work at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence cost Rs 171 crore and not Rs 45 crore, Congress leader Ajay Maken on Monday wrote to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, requesting his immediate intervention to ensure that public money is not misused and to initiate a probe into the matter.
In the three-page letter to the L-G, Maken, who is a former Union minister, said, “I’m writing to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding the extravagant expenditure, environmental damage, and violation of heritage protection and zonal plans involved in the construction of the Chief Minister’s residence in Delhi.”
In the letter, the Congress leader alleged that the construction of the new CM House has cost the exchequer around Rs 171 crore, including the relocation of 22 officers’ bungalows, with 15 out of 22 houses adjacent to CM’s house on Flagstaff Road being demolished or being vacated.

He said that this figure includes around Rs 126 crore spent on purchasing 21 new Type 5 flats in CWG Village to compensate for the housing shortage.
Alleging violation of Master Plan Delhi (MPD) 2021, Maken said, “The new CM House has been constructed in the Civil Lines Old Bungalow Zone, an area protected under MPD 2021. The previous residence was a single-storey colonial-style building, which has been replaced by a three-storey structure with a basement (B+G+1+2) with a covered area of around 20,000 sq ft (almost double the previous covered area). This construction directly contradicts the MPD 2021 provisions, which aim to preserve the heritage and character of Lutyen’s Bungalow Zone and Civil Lines Old Bungalow Zone.”
He also cited damage to environment due to removal of 28 full-grown trees, which contradicts the provisions of MPD 2021 that emphasise the importance of preserving green cover in these protected zones.
The Congress leader alleged that work orders were seemingly split by PWD to keep them below Rs 10 crore, with the intent to avoid approval of the secretary/principal secretary, PWD (for works amounting to more than Rs 10 crore).
“This was allegedly done by engineers of PWD in collusion with then PWD Minister Satyendar Jain, as required by the delegation of financial powers,” he said.

He also alleged lack of concurrence from the finance department, deviations in procurement procedure and circumventing municipal laws and deceiving the Legislative Assembly.
“In light of these concerns, I kindly request your immediate intervention to address these issues and ensure that public money is not misused, environmental damage is minimised, and heritage protection and zonal plans are strictly adhered to in future development projects. Upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and responsible governance is crucial for the betterment of our society and for safeguarding the interests of the citizens.
“I thus request you to conduct an inquiry into the above points. And if found guilty, grant sanction for prosecution of the principal beneficiary, the Chief Minister, and the principal perpetrator, then PWD Minister of GNCTD,” Maken said.
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#Ajay #Maken #writes #Delhi #seeking #probe #renovation #Kejriwals #residence
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 8, 2023
BJP to stage ‘indefinite’ dharna outside Kejriwal’s house over ‘expensive renovation’

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New Delhi: Delhi BJP will hold an indefinite sit-in outside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s house over his allegedly spending Rs 45 crore on renovation of his official residence, a party functionary said Sunday.
The party will stage a sit-in outside Kejriwal’s official residence 6, Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines from Monday, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said.
Earlier in the week, the BJP had alleged that Kejriwal spent Rs 45 crore on renovation of his official house during 2020-22.

“The most shameful thing in this is that this scam was done at a time when Corona was in its worst form in Delhi and hundreds of people were dying every day,” Sachdeva said.
The dharna will be led by BJP MP Harsh Vardhan with workers from Keshav Puram and Chandni Chowk districts, he said.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 30, 2023
BJP protests crores spent on renovation of Kejriwal’s ‘palatial bungalow’, AAP plans counter

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New Delhi: The BJP and AAP continued to spar over renovation of Delhi Chief Minister’s official residence on Thursday, with the leaders of saffron outfit staging a protest with a replica of a mansion alleging crores of rupees were spent on the “palatial bungalow”.
Kejriwal, reacting for the first time over the issue, shared a video on his tweeter handle saying “Delhi public’s answer to the BJP….What does Delhi public say on the row over Rs 45 crore spent on Kejriwal’s bungalow.”
The AAP will stage a massive protest on Friday against the ‘country’s ruler’ for “wastage” of taxpayers money, senior party leader Raghav Chadha said.

Leading the protest by Delhi BJP near Delhi Chief Minister’s residence, Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said “the fate of Mahmmood Ghaznavi and Muhammad Ghori who looted Delhi, awaits Kejriwal one day at the hands of the people of Delhi.”
The BJP has been assailing the AAP and Kejriwal over Rs 45 crore spent on renovation of Chief Minister’s residence at 6, Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines area.
The BJP protesters started a march from Chandagi Ram AKhara, where a replica of a mansion was kept symbolising renovated “bungalow” of the Chief Minister and a party worker sitting in front of it wearing a mask of Kejriwal.
Addressing the protesters, Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari alleged Kejriwal has covered his house with curtains of Rs 1.5 crore but his “double faced character” has been exposed in front of the people of Delhi.
Former Union minister Harsh Vardhan said that the BJP will continue its struggle until the people of Delhi are freed from a “dishonest and corrupt” Chief Minister.

Hitting at the BJP, Chadha took swipe at the Prime Minister without naming anyone.
A new chapter has been added to the story of “King” and the AAP will stage a massive protest against the “luxurious lifestyle” on the hard earned money of the people, Chadha said.
“When this king travels the world at the expense of the taxpayers, he does so in a private aircraft that costs the citizens of the country Rs 8400 crore. When this king travelled the world at the cost of taxpayers in the last couple of months, it cost his government Rs 1500 crore,” he said.
When a generic repair work was to be done in the official residence of this king, this was only done with the purpose of beautification of the space, it cost the government exchequer Rs 90 crore, Chadha alleged.
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#BJP #protests #crores #spent #renovation #Kejriwals #palatial #bungalow #AAP #plans #counter
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 27, 2023
BJP, AAP trade barbs over expenditure on renovation of Kejriwal’s official residence

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New Delhi: The political slugfest over the alleged Rs 45 crore expenditure on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence intensified on Wednesday, with the BJP accusing him of building a “palace of corruption” while the Aam Aadmi Party alleged that the BJP was trying to divert attention from real issues.
In a dig at the AAP founder and Delhi chief minister, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra called him a “Maharaj” and said even kings will bow to Kejriwal for his choice of “superior” products at the residence and his “lust for luxury and comfort”.
It is not only about the renovation of the residence but also of the Aam Aadmi Party’s ideology and its leaders’ mindset, he alleged.

AAP leaders including MLA Naresh Balyan shared on social media purported videos of the rubble that had fallen off from the roof of the chief minister’s old residence and claimed the house built in 1942 was in a state of disrepair.
The BJP alleged that Kejriwal, who had claimed to promote honesty and simplicity while entering politics, has built a “palace of corruption”.
This is the story of a king who is “shameless”, Patra said, in a counter to Kejriwal’s recent attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Delhi Assembly where he mocked the top BJP leader by narrating a story of a king.
Patra also alleged that Kejriwal offered Rs 20 crore to Rs 50 crore to media houses to not highlight the story but news channels and newspapers ignored the offer.
Hitting back at the BJP, AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said at a press conference that it was trying to divert attention from important issues.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence was built in 1942 and the roof had collapsed thrice, Singh said.
Following the roof collapse incidents, the Public Works Department (PWD) suggested a new house be built and this was done, he said claiming Rs 30 crore was spent on the rebuilt house.
Kejriwal has been occupying the official residence- at 6 Flagstaff Road in the Civil Lines area after becoming chief minister in 2015. The residence also has the chief minister’s camp office spread over a 5000 square metre area, officials said.
A group of Delhi BJP leaders, including its general secretary Kuljeet Chahal, were pushed away by staff and security personnel when they were holding a symbolic protest outside the chief minister’s official residence.
The BJP leaders also alleged that “private” security staff had misbehaved with a news channel reporter.
Meanwhile, sources claimed that the expenditure of Rs. 44.78 crore on the renovation of Kejriwal’s official residence involved a “blatant violation” of government financial rules (GFRs) through the “connivance” of then PWD ministers and officials of the department.
“One is forced to wonder as to why an expenditure of about Rs.45 crore was not incurred through a single tender and work order. The answer lies in the fact that doing so would have involved due processes of an open tender, thereby making the clandestine exercise public,” a source claimed.
No official reaction was available from the AAP government over the fresh charges.
The sources further claimed that the engineer-in-chief of PWD and the PWD secretary were kept out of the loop in the exercise undertaken to renovate Kejriwal’s bungalow.
“The files were sent directly to the PWD minister without routing through the engineer in chief and secretary of PWD, with the sole aim of subverting laid down procedures so that the project does not exceed Rs 10 crore and become a public document,” the source alleged.
The sources claimed that documents establish that all five work orders regarding the renovation of the residence were below Rs 10 crore – Rs 7.92 crore, Rs 1.64 crore, Rs 9.09 crore, Rs 8.68 crore. and Rs. 9.34 core, approved between September 2020 and June 2022.
The expenditure sanctioned for renovating the camp office at the chief minister’s residence also amounted to Rs. 9.99 core, marginally below the Rs 10 crore limit, they said.
Citing documents, Patra said marble worth over Rs 1.15 crore was brought from Vietnam while Rs 4 core was spent on pre-fabricated wooden walls.
Senior AAP leaders defended the renovation work saying pieces from the roof of the room where Kejriwal’s parents lived, his bedroom and the room where he meets people had fallen off.
“Since yesterday, there have been attempts to divert attention from key issues such as the Pulwama attack and the Adani matter by discussing the chief minister’s residence. It was an 80-year-old house constructed in 1942. There had been not one but three instances of the roof collapsing,” Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said.
Singh also hit out at Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, saying his residence underwent repairs worth Rs 15 crore.
“Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani’s aircraft cost Rs 191 crore while Rs 65 crore was spent on buying an aircraft for Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan,” he claimed.
The BJP had on Tuesday claimed that about Rs 45 crore was spent on the “beautification” of Kejriwal’s official residence and demanded his resignation on “moral” grounds.
Congress leader Ajay Maken had also raised questions on Kejriwal’s right to remain in his position.
Listing out the promises made by Kejriwal, Maken said he had claimed that he would not use a car with a red beacon or request security beyond what is necessary for a common citizen and would refuse a large bungalow and instead live in an ordinary house.
“Despite naming his party ‘Aam Aadmi Party’ (common man’s party) and making these pledges, Mr Kejriwal spent a fortune on his bungalow when the people of Delhi were desperately seeking oxygen cylinders during the COVID pandemic,” he alleged.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 26, 2023
Damaged In Floods, 700-Year-Old Temple Undergoes Renovation In Srinagar

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SRINAGAR: In a bid to renovate the seven-century-old Mangleshwar Bhairav Temple at Baba Demb area, the authorities have started the renovation work on the project.
The work is expected to be completed by next month and the estimated cost of the project is around Rs 1.62 core.
Executive Engineer Circular Road Project, Roads and Building department said that the work was assigned to them through the archaeological department following which a DPR was framed to renovate the 700-year-old temple.
He said that the temple was damaged in 2014 floods, adding that the plan to renovate the temple was executed while taking local Hindu community members on board. He added that the work will be completed in three phases.
Rs 64 lakhs have been spent in the first phase while the guard rooms have come up at the cost of Rs 25 lakh and also Rs 80 lakhs are being spent to construct ghats, he said.
He added that during the execution of work, they faced hardships while transporting the material to the temple through water transport, but everything has been done smoothly.
The officer further stated that the work on the project will be completed by the month of May. (KNO)

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( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

March 23, 2023
Water Supply To Remain Affected In Srinagar Parts

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SRINAGAR: In a bid to start renovation of Sindh Extension Canal near head works of the department in Srinagar Division the water supply would remain affected in some Srinagar areas on March 5 2023 till 9pm.
The Jal shakti Department Srinagar division has informed that the water supply to several areas will remain affected on March 6 of 2023 till 9pm.
The areas that would remain affected include Mal shahi bagh Zakura, Gulab Bagh, Alasteng, Shuhama, Naseem Bagh,Lal Bazaar , Habak, Hadoora, Pandach,Chaterhama, khal mohalla, Buspora, Soura, Anchaar,Bahavchipora, Zoonimar,Nowshera, Bagh-e- Ali Mardaan Khan, Zadibal, Hawal, Alamgiri Bazaar, Rajouri Kadal, Nallahmar, Nawakadal, Bohri kadal, Nowhatta, Hazratbal, sadrabal, Nigeen, Saida kadal, Karan Nagar, Chattabal, Kawdara, Eidgah, Mahrajgunj, ZainaKadal, Noor Bagh, Saidapora, Bemina, Firdous Abaad, Batmaloo, Qamarwari, Zainakote, Noor abad, Umarabad and adjacent areas.
In case of any urgency, officials have advised to call on 2477207 and 2452047, the notice reads.

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( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

March 5, 2023