Rs 2.4 crore for renovating Raj Bhavan: Karnataka Governor Vala sparks controversy

Bengaluru, June 4: Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R Vala created a controversy for making the state government spend Rs 2.4 crore on renovating the Raj Bhavan and using private aircraft for his official visits.

In reply to an RTI query filed by a private television channel, the public works department gave this information about Vala, who took charge on September 1, 2014.

The department said the renovation work started after the finance department specially sanctioned Rs 3 crore through a January 5 order. About Rs 2.3 crore was spent.

The reply also said the expenditure on chartered aircraft/helicopters between September 1, 2014, and May 13, 2015, was around Rs 10 lakh.

During the tenure of former governor HR Bhardwaj, Rs 72 lakh was spent behind civil works in Raj Bhavan between 2009 and 2012. Another RTI query revealed it.

Besides expenses on provision of interiors in the chambers of the governor and his ADC, interior works, internal roads, huge amounts were spent on renovating the kitchen, dining hall and bathroom as well.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, however, refused to remark on the matter.

Oneindia News