PM Modi’s Mysuru Hotel Stay: ₹80.6 Lakh Bill Unpaid for Over a Year, Radisson Blu Plaza May Sue: Report

In April 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stay at the Radisson Blu Plaza in Mysuru for the 50th anniversary celebration of Project Tiger has led to a significant financial dispute. The hotel is considering legal action as bills amounting to ₹80.6 lakh remain unpaid for over a year. The event was organized by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF), with full funding from the Central government.

The State Forest Department was initially instructed to plan an event from April 9 to 11, with a budget of ₹3 crore, fully funded by the Centre. However, urgent instructions from senior officials at the MoEF and NTCA led to an increase in the event’s total expenses to ₹6.33 crore. While ₹3 crore has been disbursed by the Centre, the remaining ₹3.33 crore is still pending, causing a strain on the financial dealings of the event.

The increase in costs was due to additional activities and changes to the schedule, as directed by the NTCA. The event management company handling the project revised its quote accordingly, which was communicated to all relevant officials via video conference. Despite this, the extra costs have not been settled, leading to ongoing discussions about unpaid bills.

The issue of the unpaid hotel bills was first brought to the NTCA’s attention by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) in September 2023. The NTCA responded in February 2024, suggesting that the State government should cover these expenses. Despite subsequent reminders from the new Principal Chief Conservator in March 2024 and the hotel’s finance manager in May 2024, the ₹80.6 lakh bill remains unsettled.

This financial dispute highlights the complexities and challenges that can arise from large-scale government-organized events. The Radisson Blu Plaza is now considering legal action to recover the unpaid amount, adding another layer of tension to the situation. As the matter remains unresolved, it underscores the need for clearer financial accountability and prompt settlement of expenses in such high-profile events.