Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Union Ministers’ Bungalow Upkeep Costs Draw Rs 92 Crore Criticism
The government spent Rs 92.35 crore repairing and furnishing homes used by Union ministers in 2025-26.
These homes are official bungalows in New Delhi.
The amount was much higher than the Rs 27.47 crore spent in 2014-15.
Over 12 years, the total spending reached Rs 547.68 crore.
Congress, the AAP and the CJP said the money could have been used for schools and other public needs.
They also questioned the spending while people face inflation and unemployment.
Government officials said many of the bungalows are 80 to 100 years old.
They said the buildings need costly repairs because of problems like leaks, termites and old wiring and pipes.
The disagreement is about whether the spending was necessary maintenance or an example of poor priorities.
Upkeep of Union ministers’ official residences cost a record Rs 92.35 crore in 2025-26, according to RTI information obtained by PTI.
The expenditure rose from Rs 27.47 crore in 2014-15 and totalled Rs 547.68 crore over 12 years.
Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Cockroach Janta Party criticised the spending amid inflation, unemployment and demand for more government schools.
The CJP said Rs 92 crore could fund 10 new world-class government schools.
Officials attributed the higher costs to maintaining ageing bungalows affected by seepage, termites and deteriorating electrical and plumbing systems.
- Who
- The Central Public Works Department maintained the residences, while Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Cockroach Janta Party criticised the expenditure.
- What
- Rs 92.35 crore was spent on renovation, furnishing and repair of Union ministers’ official residences in 2025-26.
- When
- The reported record expenditure occurred in financial year 2025-26; the comparison covers 2014-15 through 2025-26.
- Where
- The official residences are in New Delhi.
- Why
- Officials cited the cost of maintaining 80- to 100-year-old bungalows, while critics said the money should have supported schools and other public priorities.
Critics of the expenditure
Officials’ maintenance explanation
Spending priorities
Critics of the expenditure
Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Cockroach Janta Party questioned the expenditure amid inflation, unemployment and the need for more government schools.
Officials’ maintenance explanation
Officials’ explanation focused on the costs required to maintain the ministers’ official residences.
Use of public funds
Critics of the expenditure
The CJP said Rs 92 crore could have funded 10 new world-class government schools and urged the government to prioritise schools over lavish homes.
Officials’ maintenance explanation
The reported spending covered renovation, furnishing and repairs of official residences rather than a stated new construction programme.
Reason for rising costs
Critics of the expenditure
Critics highlighted that spending increased from Rs 27.47 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 92.35 crore in 2025-26, describing the increase as excessive.
Officials’ maintenance explanation
Officials attributed the higher bill to ageing bungalows with seepage, termite infestation and deteriorating electrical and plumbing systems.
- 2025-26 expenditure
- Rs 92.35 crore
- 2014-15 expenditure
- Rs 27.47 crore
- 12-year cumulative expenditure
- Rs 547.68 crore from 2014-15 to 2025-26
- 2024-25 expenditure
- Rs 71.98 crore
- Maintenance agency
- Central Public Works Department
- Age of many residences
- 80 to 100 years
- CJP comparison
- The party said Rs 92 crore could fund 10 new world-class government schools