PM Modi’s Mysuru Visit: Hotel Threatens Legal Action Over Unpaid Bills Exceeding ₹80 Lakh

In a recent development, the Radisson Blu Plaza hotel in Mysuru, Karnataka, has issued a stern warning of legal action over unpaid bills amounting to a staggering Rs 80.6 lakh. These bills, accrued during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the hotel in April 2023, remain outstanding despite repeated attempts to settle them.

According to a report by *The Hindu*, Prime Minister Modi’s stay at the hotel coincided with his attendance at the inauguration of the 50 years of Project Tiger event, a significant milestone in wildlife conservation efforts. The event, jointly organized by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF), aimed to commemorate decades of dedicated work in preserving India’s tiger population.

However, the celebration was marred by financial disputes as the cost of the event escalated beyond initial estimates. Originally budgeted at Rs 3 crore, the expenses soared to Rs 6.33 crore due to unforeseen circumstances and the short notice at which the program was organized. While the Union government initially released the estimated amount, the remaining dues, including the additional expenses, have yet to be settled.

Efforts to resolve the outstanding payments have proven futile, with the Karnataka Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) reaching out to the NTCA for assistance in settling the dues. However, the NTCA’s response on February 12, 2024, shifted the burden of the additional expenses, totaling Rs 3.33 crore, onto the state government.

Amidst the unresolved financial issues, the Radisson Blu Plaza hotel finds itself entangled in the dispute, as its bills from the Prime Minister’s stay remain unpaid. Despite reminders and formal correspondence from the hotel management, including a letter dated May 21, 2024, addressed to the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Basavaraju, the outstanding dues remain unsettled.

In a bid to expedite the resolution process, the hotel management has issued a warning that delayed payment will incur an interest rate of 18% per annum. Furthermore, they have explicitly stated their intention to pursue legal recourse should the outstanding bills not be settled by June 1, 2024.

The standoff underscores the complexities involved in organizing high-profile events and the importance of timely financial commitments. With the deadline looming, stakeholders await a resolution to the financial impasse, hopeful for a swift and amicable conclusion to the dispute. *(Source: The Hindu)*