Revenue minister spends more than CM on renovation
Reddy’s expenditure on residence is Rs 89 lakh
Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy has built wardrobes in his bed room at his government bungalow in Race View quarters at a cost of Rs 8.2 lakh. The minister has spent totally Rs 89.47 lakh for renovation of his bungalow since he occupied the building.
Reddy has spent more on redoing his official residence than even the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who has spent Rs. 77.43 lakh on the renovation of his official residence on Race Course road.
Members of Yeddyurappa’s Cabinet together spent over Rs 5 crore on the renovation works of their official quarters since they became ministers 18 months ago.
These figures were provided by the CM in reply to a question raised by JD(S) leader M C Nanaiah. The Chief Minister said 17 ministers were occupying government bungalows in the City. The bungalows had to be maintained well as they were meant to be occupied by ministers, who “very important persons”. Asked if any renovation work was taken up after the floods rqavaged the north Karnataka districts in hit in October, the CM replied in the negative.
Huge expenditure
Nanaiah took exception to the huge expenditure on the bungalows. He said the amount spent on renovation of each bungalow was enough to construct a house itself.
He demanded the government should order an inquiry. “Nobody should become a minister only to enjoy luxury at the cost of public money”, he added. Yeddyurappa said Anugraha that was to be his official residence originally was renovated much before he became the chief minister. He did not occupy the house.
Initially, his official residence on Race Course Road was estimated to be renovated at a cost of Rs 4 to 5 crore. But he had not allowed the expenditure, he said.
During the term of S M Krishna as Chief Minister Rs 10 crore was spent on renovation of the bungalows. During Chief Ministerial terms of Dharam Singh and H D Kumaraswamy, Rs 7 crore and Rs 6.9 crore had been spent respectively.
He assured the House he would take steps to reduce the expenditure on renovation of bungalows in future.
