As per data accessed from the PWD (Public Works Department), the current government known as the Maha Vikas Aghadi which took control in November 2019, has spent around Rs 18 crore for the redevelopment of existing bungalows that are allotted to the cabinet ministers of the Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP alliance.
It is said that the PWD spent the most on the Royal Stone bungalow which is allotted to the Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat (Congress). Meanwhile, the bungalow assigned to Deputy CM of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar (NCP), saw an expense of Rs 1.5 crore since November 2019.
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A senior PWD bureaucrat said, “In several cases, cabinet members are found to take a personal interest in the renovation and repair work. We cannot refuse to do the repairs citing limits.”
Data from the PWD also mentioned that during former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ tenure in office, there were a total of 39 flats and bungalows allotted to cabinet ministers. The data revealed that over Rs 1 crore was spent in more than 18 cases.
While the spending on the upkeep of bungalows by the Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP alliance is nowhere close to what the previous government spent, it’s worth pointing out that it’s only been a few months since the government took charge. To get a better and balanced idea about the spending on bungalows by the current government, we will have to wait until the expected end of its current term in 2024.
Even before portfolios for the cabinet ministers were allotted, bungalows were already appointed for key ministers of the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Officials at the time noted that each time a new minister is allotted a property, refurbishments and repair works are ordered. Adding that sea-facing bungalows require more maintenance.
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