Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is being criticized after the state Public Works Department estimated that renovating his official residence, Cauvery, will cost Rs 2.6 crore.Oppositionleaders say this money is being wasted and should be spent on important services like roads, schools, or hospitals. 

They question why so much money is being used on one building while many people in the state are in need. The government has not yet given a clear explanation for this high expense, leaving many citizens concerned about the use of public funds.

A finance department notice explained the planned upgrades, which have been criticized by many. The renovations include building a new helper’s room with a bathroom, adding more storage rooms, improving lighting, and upgrading water points.

Reports say that Rs 1.7 crore has been set aside for construction work, including kitchen upgrades. Also, Rs 89 lakh will be spent on electrical improvements, air conditioning, and other related tasks. These electrical updates include new wiring, more lighting, water heaters, and AC units.

The government’s decision to grant a 4(g) exemption under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act has added to the controversy, allowing the PWD to undertake the project without a tender process, Times of India reported.

BJP MLA from Chikpet, Uday Garudachar, condemned the expenditure, calling it “outrageous” and questioning the necessity of such high-cost renovations at the expense of taxpayers.

Earlier, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal faced criticism for the extensive renovations of his official residence at 6 Flagstaff Road, commonly referred to as the "Sheesh Mahal." 

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reported that the renovation costs amounted to ₹33.66 crore, significantly exceeding the initial estimate of ₹7.9 crore. BJP leaders alleged that the actual expenditure, including luxury additions, could be as high as ₹75-80 crore. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has since ordered a probe into potential.