CAG Flags ₹33.66 Cr Spend on Kejriwal Residence, 342% Over Initial Estimate

New Delhi: A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has revealed that renovation work at former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence cost ₹33.66 crore, exceeding the initial estimate by over 342 per cent. The report was tabled in the Delhi Assembly on Monday.

The audit noted that a substantial portion of the expenditure ₹18.88 crore was incurred on high end specifications, including artistic, antique and ornamental elements at the residence located on Flagstaff Road.

It also pointed to several procedural irregularities, including delays in administrative approvals. Sanction for expenditure amounting to ₹9.34 crore was granted more than two months after completion of the work, raising concerns about compliance with financial norms.

Further scrutiny revealed diversion of funds originally allocated for the construction of a staff block and camp office. While a significant amount was sanctioned, the intended structures were either altered or left incomplete, with resources redirected to unrelated works.

The report highlighted that the built-up area of the residence was expanded significantly during execution, along with changes in design and material specifications. Additionally, multiple revisions of cost estimates were carried out to accommodate the increased expenditure.

The audit also observed that a single contractor was assigned a large portion of the work without exploring broader tendering options, raising questions over transparency in project execution.

The findings have triggered political debate, with the project drawing attention over its scale of spending and alleged lapses in governance.