UP Raj Bhawan spends Rs 40 lakh monthly on 86 staffers: RTI response

Lucknow, Sep 1 (IANS) A staggering Rs 40 lakh in salaries is paid every month to the 86 staffers of the Uttar Pradesh Raj Bhawan, the Governor's official residence, a response to an RTI query has revealed.

As per the RTI data provided by Hemant Kumar Chaudhary, Public Information Officer (PIO) of Raj Bhawan, Uttar Pradesh to activist Nutan Thakur, the staffers include a principal secretary, a special secretary and a legal advisor. There are four officers on special duty (OSD), four personal secretaries and other secretariat staff.

In addition, there is one chef, one steward, six drivers, three senior attendants and 19 attendants. There are also sixteen bearers, five assistant bearers, three mates, two cooks, one tailor, one washerman and five 'safai karmis'.

The RTI response also mentioned that the salary of principal and special secretary is given by the government, while the cumulative monthly salary of other 84 personnel is Rs 39,70,530.

The Raj Bhawan, however, refused to provide the number of police personnel posted there and the monthly salary given to them, citing provisions of RTI Act.

The activist told IANS that "the reasons of denial do not seem proper".

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