THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF has decided to minimise the spending on the renovation of ministerial bungalows not only due to the financial crunch of the sate exchequer, but also to avoid the controversies that had erupted during the time of the previous governments.
While the UDF government had spent Rs 4.3 crore on renovation, the V.S. Achuthanandan-led government that preceded it was caught up in a controversy over the lavish spending by then Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and the then Civil Supplies Minister and CPI leader C. Divakaran.
Chief Minister-designate Pinarayi Vijayan has said that huge funds were often spent on ministerial bungalows leading to corruption. Hence the LDF has decided to make only minimum maintenance works. Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and mr C. Divakaran had spent Rs 17 lakh and Rs 11 lakh respectively for renovation.
Modifications were also allegedly made at Manmohan Bangalow, the official residence of Mr Kodiyeri, in accordance with Vastu Sasthra. Following the controversies, both the ministers had even shifted from the residences. Out of the Rs 4.3 crore spent by the Chandy government, about Rs 73 lakh was spent on Essendene Bangalow, the official residence of Panchayat Minister M.K. Muneer, Rs 38. 9 lakh on Prasanth Banglow of Finance Minister K.M. Mani and Rs 33 lakh on Rose House, occupied by Urban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali. The newly constructed
Kaveri Bungalow occupied by Excise Minister K. Babu spent Rs 3.8 lakh. A sum of Rs 26. 5 lakh was spent on Cliff House, the official residence of the Chief Minister, during the last five years. Education Minister P.K. Abdu Rabb also courted a controversy over a decision to change the name of his newly-built official residence from Ganga to Grace.
