The Odisha government has spent around Rs 17 crore for the repair and renovation of the Raj Bhavan, its adjoining buildings and official quarters during the last six years, according to its reply to a Right to Information query.

The executive engineer, Bhubaneswar (roads and building) division-IV, said they had spent Rs 16,91,13,899 (approximately Rs 17 crore) for the repair and renovation work of the building in response to the query by RTI activist Pradip Pradhan.

The works department undertook various works like new construction, renovation, maintenance of the governor’s house and adjoining buildings and quarters of officers and employees of the Raj Bhavan. The money was spent in this regard during a period of six years from 2015-16 to 2020-21, according to the reply.

Of the total money spent, the expenses for the construction of the abhishek-cum-banquet hall at the Raj Bhavan were to the tune of Rs 3,95,53,299 (Rs 3.95 crore), Pradhan said quoting the department’s reply to his query.

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