Rs 3.27 cr spent in maintaining Karnataka Raj Bhavan garden over three years: RTI

In a span of three years, Rs 3.27 crore of taxpayer money has been spent on the upkeep of the Karnataka Raj Bhavan garden, a reply to an RTI application revealed. RTI activist Bheemappa Gadag had filed an application seeking details of funds spent on maintenance of the Raj Bhawan, the official residence of the Karnataka Governor, in Bengaluru since 2014, when the current Governor Vajubhai Vala took office.  

Of the Rs 3,26,98,613 spent between 2014 and 2017, Rs 2.95 cr has been on ‘concept, design and master plan’ for the Raj Bhavan garden. Flower decoration for the Raj Bhavan dining hall, head office and VIP lounge cost the state exchequer Rs 4.80 lakh. For the wages of the garden staff, Rs 11.59 lakh have been spent. Rs 5 lakhs has been spent on flower pots in the Governor’s official residence. The activist has said that he filed the application to see how much of the exchequer’s money is being spent on a Governor who has failed to respond to people’s needs.

The Raj Bhavan, which is situated next to the state secretariat Vidhana Soudha, has been closed to the public since the current Governor took office in 2014. According to Bhimappa Gadag, the above mentioned amount does not include those incurred during official ceremonies like swearing-in of ministers. According to the Raj Bhavan website, the garden spans over 16 acres. The total built-up area of the main building, which houses both the official residence and office of the Governor, is 42,380 square feet. 

In the past, several RTI activists have complained that the Karnataka Raj Bhavan has refused to divulge details. Several RTI applications have been rejected by the Karnataka Governor’s office, which refused to provide information saying that they do not come under the purview of the RTI Act. This is even as Governors’ offices across several states in the country have responded to RTI queries.