Karnataka CM Sadananda Gowda's 287 aides cost exchequer Rs 70L every month

BANGALORE: Karnataka chief minister has 287 people, including principal secretary, advisors and dalayats (who do menial jobs), to assist him and together they take home Rs 70 lakh as salary every month. This excludes security personnel who guard chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda round the clock.

An RTI query revealed there are 237 personnel for the CM at Vidhana Soudha, 21 people assist him at his home office 'Krishna' and 29 work at his home. Monthly salary for the 237 employees at Vidhana Soudha adds up to Rs 56.88 lakh.

The CM's secretariat does not function in the secretariat, like other departments. It helps him discharge his duty as the chief executive.

Sources said the number of people has gone up due to indiscriminate appointments from various departments and arbitrary recruitment of people who are close to officers, advisors and the CM on contract.

Officers are drawn from the IAS, state service and other departments. Besides, persons were appointed on contract at the CM's office.

The secretariat has different sections, including administration, development, CM's relief fund, nomination, government of India section, computer, press, Janaspandana Cell and inward and outward sections. Besides, officers above the undersecretary rank have separate personal establishments. "It's for the efficient discharge of duties and responsibilities," the CM's secretariat said in response to the RTI query.

CM's principal secretary I S N Prasad earns the highest salary - Rs 1,31,641 a month. M Lakshminarayana, principal secretary II, earns Rs 1,01,532 and economic advisor K V Raju's takes home Rs 1,10,852.

CM's media advisor R P Jagadish has 12 people working at his office and press secretary N Bhrungeesh has 25 employees to help him. Prasad has 11 people, political secretary B J Puttaswamy and Raju have six people assisting them.