Centre undermining rights of hill tribes: Former Mizoram Minister Zodintluanga

The Mizoram-based Zodintluanga called for the dismantling of the “authoritarian grip” on the country

Audit trail of Kejriwal’s CM residence: Cost up thrice to Rs 33 crore, splurge on curtains to carpets

‘Sheesh Mahal’ row: CAG Murmu filed report week before he left office; AAP says diversionary tactic by BJP before polls

📌 Main and sheer curtain: Rs 96 lakh; kitchen equipment: Rs 39 lakh

📌 TV console: Rs 20.34 lakh; treadmill and gym equipment: Rs 18.52 lakh; silk carpets: Rs 16.27 lakh; minibar: Rs 4.80 lakh.

📌 A sum of Rs 20 lakh was agreed upon for marble stone for walls but the final cost touched Rs 66.89 lakh

📌 Floor tiles were budgeted for Rs 5.5 lakh but went up to Rs 14 lakh.

📌 During execution, built-up area went up 36 per cent (from 1,397 sq m to 1,905 sq m).

All these contributed to the escalation of cost of renovation of the premises of 6, Flag Staff Road, office and residence of then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. From preliminary estimates of Rs 7.91 crore, work was awarded at Rs 8.62 crore in 2020 and when it was completed by the Public Works Department (PWD) in 2022, the total cost was Rs 33.66 crore.

These are learnt to be among the key findings of a report by then Comptroller and AuditorGeneral Girish Chandra Murmu. The Indian Express has learned that Murmu signed off on this report just a week before he demitted office on November 20, 2024.