Delhi government cancels tender for CM Rekha Gupta’s residence renovation citing administrative reasons: Documents

The Delhi government has cancelled the tender for renovation of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's official residence owing to administrative reasons, according to documents. She had been allotted two bungalows on Raj Niwas Marg by PWD - one for her residence and one for a camp office. She inaugurated her camp office last week. The cancelled tender worth Rs 60 lakh was related to proposed installations at her residence, including 14 air conditioners, televisions and electrical fixtures.

The tender, which was scheduled to be opened on July 4, was abruptly scrapped on July 7 citing "administrative reasons", as mentioned in the PWD note. The proposed expenditure included installation of 14 air-conditioners, a Rs 9 lakh television set, Rs 6 lakh worth of lighting, and other high-end electrical fittings for the Chief Minister's bungalow in Delhi's Civil Lines.

The move comes days after the tender triggered sharp political reactions, with both the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Delhi government. AAP, which had faced criticism earlier over the alleged Rs 45 crore renovation of former CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence, earlier accused the BJP of "hypocrisy and double standards". AAP leaders had asked, "Wasn't BJP crying foul over Kejriwal's house? Now look at the luxury they planned for their own CM."