PM Modi’s stay unpaid: Mysuru hotel warns of legal action for Rs 80 lakh bill
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The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Mysuru, Karnataka, warned of legal action over unpaid bills amounting to Rs 80.6 lakh incurred during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit in April 2023.
The controversy stems from the commemoration of 50 years of the Project Tiger event, organized jointly by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF).
The State Forest Department, tasked with executing the event, faced unexpected costs, ballooning the initial estimate of Rs 3 crore to Rs 6.33 crore. Despite assurances of full Union government assistance, the additional expenses remain unsettled.
Karnataka's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) sought reimbursement from the NTCA, which responded on February 12, 2024, insisting that the state government cover the excess costs. Amidst this bureaucratic deadlock, the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel raised concerns about the unpaid bills, including the Rs 80.6 lakh incurred during the Prime Minister's stay.
Efforts to resolve the outstanding dues have hit a standstill. The hotel's management, in a letter dated May 21, 2024, reminded authorities of the impending deadline, warning that delayed payment would incur an 18% annual interest rate. With the June 1, 2024 deadline looming, the hotel has threatened legal recourse should the dues remain unsettled.