RTI throws light on spending by Delhi & Uttarakhand CMs

In an evidence of politicians inviting greater public scrutiny now than ever before, two applications under the Right to Information Act have surfaced regarding some miscellaneous expenditure by the chief ministers of Delhi and Uttarakhand.

Filed by RTI activists, the applications sought to know the expenditure incurred by the CMs on refreshment served at their offices and official residences. In the case of Delhi, expenditure on medical reimbursement and petrol/maintenance of the official vehicle was also sought.

The Delhi government has informed RTI activist Rohit Chaudhary that office of the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, spent a total of Rs 1.03 crore on refreshment across a period of 34 months. The time-line stretches from 14 February, 2015 – when Kejriwal assumed office – to December 2017.

The average spending comes down to Rs 3.03 lakh a month, or a little over Rs 10,000 a day. That's about a 100 cups of tea daily for an office that employs over 200 people and witnesses a steady stream of visitors.

Looking at other heads of expenditure, the CMO sought medical reimbursement worth Rs 12,04,120 lakhs in the same 34 month period, over Rs 35,000 a month. This includes about Rs 7 lakhs spent at Jindal Nature Care, Bengaluru. Kejriwal was accompanied by his wife on two out of three visits to the centre in this period.