The Radisson Blu Plaza hotel in Mysuru has issued a legal warning as the unpaid bill for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stay amounts to Rs 80 lakh and 60 thousand. Modi lodged at this hotel in April 2023, as reported by 'The Hindu.' During the visit, Prime Minister Modi participated in an event in Mysuru jointly organized by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Tiger Reserve.
The state forest department was tasked to manage the program from April 9 to April 11, with an initial expenditure of three crores covered by the central government. However, under urgent directives from senior officials of 'MOEF' and 'NTCA,' the total cost escalated to 6.33 crores. Despite ongoing correspondence between the state forest department and the 'MOEF,' an outstanding bill of Rs.3.33 crore remains as the central government has only disbursed Rs.3 crore.
According to The Hindu, the primary cost of the program, outlined in the communication between the MoEF and the NTCA, was initially set at Rs.3 crore. Nevertheless, additional activities were incorporated in compliance with NTCA guidelines and scheduling requirements, prompting the event management company to raise the expenses. All officials were duly informed of the augmented costs through the televised system. Negotiations concerning the unpaid bill are ongoing, and the outstanding 80 lakh and 60 thousand bill remains unsettled.
The hotel has now resorted to threatening legal measures to recover the due amount. A pledge of harmonious resolution In the interim, Karnataka Forest Minister Ishwar Khandare assured on Saturday that the Prime Minister's overdue bill would be resolved amicably. He clarified that during the event's organization, the state government was not involved due to the enforcement of the assembly elections' code of conduct. The event was solely under the purview of 'NTCA.' With the matter now under his jurisdiction, he intends to seek an amicable resolution.