This Hotel In Mysuru Threatens Legal Action Over PM Modi's Unpaid Rs 80.6 Lakh Hotel Bill

The hotel where Prime Minister Narendra Modi stayed during his visit to Mysuru in April 2023 has threatened legal action over unpaid bills totaling Rs 80.6 lakh. Modi was in Mysuru to inaugurate the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, an event organized by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF).

The State Forest Department was instructed to conduct the event from April 9 to 11 at a cost of Rs 3 crore, with the assurance of full Central assistance. However, the total cost of the event increased to Rs 6.33 crore due to additional activities required by NTCA officials and the Prime Minister's program. Although Rs 3 crore was released by the Centre, the remaining Rs 3.33 crore has not yet been paid, despite ongoing communications between the State Forest Department and the MoEF.

Correspondence between the MoEF and NTCA shows that the event's cost was initially set at Rs 3 crore, but increased due to additional requirements. The event management company, to which the program was outsourced, submitted a revised quotation that was circulated to all officials during a videoconference.

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) of Karnataka wrote to the Deputy Inspector-General of NTCA in New Delhi on September 29, 2023, reminding him of the outstanding dues. However, the NTCA responded on February 12, 2024, stating that the expenses for the Prime Minister's stay at Radisson Blu Plaza in Mysuru should be reimbursed by the State government.

A follow-up letter from the current Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Subhash K. Malkhede, dated March 22, 2024, also reminded the NTCA of the unpaid dues, including the Rs 80.6 lakh hotel bill for the Prime Minister's stay, but received no reply. On May 21, 2024, the General Manager of Finance at Radisson Blu Plaza wrote to Deputy Conservator of Forests Basavaraju, reminding him of the unpaid bills, which remain unsettled even 12 months after the event.

Hotel Demands Payment With 18% Interest On PM Modi's Mysuru Stay

The letter also stated that a delayed payment interest of 18% per annum would be applicable to the outstanding dues, adding an additional Rs 12.09 lakh for the delayed payment. The hotel management has threatened legal action if the dues are not settled by June 1, 2024.

When contacted, Dr. Basavaraju stated that the State government had rejected the Centre's directives to reimburse the amount, arguing that it was a Central government program.