Public Works Department Minister H C Mahadevappa is on a home expansion mode in Bangalore.
Citing “leaky” faucets and “improper” water proofing, Mahadevappa is spending Rs 75 lakh on the renovation of the bungalow, according to officials in the PWD.
The repair and renovation are already under way, with interior works almost complete. PWD officials said the money was being spent to repair several leakages in the bungalow.
The kitchen is also said to have been renovated at the insistence of the minister.Outside the house, the minister is constructing a small sitting area for visitors, besides renovation of the existing outhouse.
It is said the outhouse was divided into small rooms, whose internal walls have now been demolished to make way for a large office space.
The horticulture department is clearing the shrubs as part of landscaping. PWD officials said the last time such a major repair work was carried was close to 55 years ago by Mysore Housing Board.
It is claimed that since then, the house had been in a dilapidated state, with walls, roofing and flooring in a very bad condition.
It is said the PWD will hand over the house to Mahadevappa in 10 days.
While his residence on Tuesday was under lock and key due to the heavy media glare, a sizeable number of workers were busy working inside the premises.
In the afternoon, speaking to mediapersons at the chief minister’s official residence, Mahadevappa justified the construction, saying it was not his personal property.
‘It’s govt property’
“It is not my property that is being renovated. The bungalow is government property. The bungalow is more than 20 years old and needed repair and maintenance. The renovated bungalow will remain a government property,” he said.
Reacting to the expenditure, senior JD(S) leader M C Nanaiah said: “Public money is being splurged in the name of renovation. Ministers want their residence, offices to be on a par with five star hotels... what public service can we expect from such people? The chief minister should not allow such works.”
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