Governor fumes over filth in Indore, skips meal:Cockroaches, rotten potatoes found at Residency Kothi; staff say unpaid for 2.5 years

Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel expressed strong displeasure over poor arrangements at Residency Kothi in Indore and refused to dine there after officials found serious hygiene lapses. The Governor said he would eat at the airport instead. Governor Patel had arrived in Indore on Tuesday to attend the convocation ceremony of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV). During his stay at Residency Kothi, officials noticed several irregularities related to cleanliness, food preparation and housekeeping. Cockroaches, rotten food found during kitchen inspection On Tuesday morning, ADC Narendra Rawat and officer Vipul Shah inspected the kitchen and pantry at Residency Kothi. During the inspection, they found cockroaches and insects inside the kitchen area. Utensils were dirty, and rotten potatoes and vegetable peels were lying unattended. Officials also found irregularities in the pantry and refrigerator. After receiving this information, the Governor decided not to eat food prepared at the Kothi. Governor’s security staff given stained bedsheets Security personnel deployed for the Governor were given stained and dirty bedsheets. When officials asked for clean bedsheets, the staff failed to provide them immediately, which further angered the Governor and his team. Officials reprimanded kitchen in-charge Rakesh Singh and Amit Sharma for negligence. Authorities then prepared a list of required utensils and materials, and new cookers and crockery were arranged later in the afternoon. Housekeeping at Residency Kothi is handled by Ratan Emporium Security Company. Housekeeping staff allege pending payments since 2023 Housekeeping staff claimed they had not received their salaries since July 2023. According to employees, around ₹4 lakh was released recently, but dues remain pending. Amanveer Arora has been identified as the operator of the company responsible for housekeeping services. Administration denies worms found in food, orders action Kitchen in-charge Rakesh Pratap admitted that a stained bedsheet was provided, which upset the Governor. However, Additional Collector Roshan Rai denied reports that worms were found in the food. He said the issue was related to poor maintenance and behaviour by the agency, and action has been taken against the concerned contractor. Governor Patel later attended the DAVV convocation ceremony as scheduled.