Maharashtra government receives legal notice over ₹1.58 crore unpaid bill for Davos trip
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has received a legal notice from SKAAH GmbH, a Switzerland-based service provider, regarding an unpaid bill of ₹1.58 crore. The payment is allegedly due for hospitality services rendered to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other officials during the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos earlier this year.
The notice, dated August 28, was addressed to several entities, including the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), the Chief Minister’s Office, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and the WEF. According to SKAAH GmbH, while the MIDC has cleared ₹3.75 crore of the total amount, the remaining ₹1.58 crore is still pending despite multiple payment reminders.
Responding to the matter, MIDC CEO P. Velrasu stated, “I am not aware of any such notice. However, MIDC will check the vouchers and take necessary action. The matter based on merits will be decided at the earliest.”
The Davos trip has come under fire from opposition leaders, including Aaditya Thackeray from Sena UBT and NCP MLA Rohit Pawar, who have accused the government of overspending on the event. Pawar argued that the government’s actions could harm the state’s image at an international forum like Davos, which is vital for attracting global investments.
State Industries Minister Uday Samant confirmed the receipt of the legal notice but denied any excessive expenditure. “We have not overspent. It is MVA MLAs who are making these allegations. Our legal team will reply to this notice and see what the issue is,” Samant stated.
SKAAH GmbH has warned of potential legal action and claimed that the delay in payments has caused substantial financial damage, affecting their credit and overall financial situation. The firm also raised concerns about the potential impact on international relations between India and Switzerland if the issue is not resolved immediately.
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Himanta resigns as Assam CM, paving way for formation of new govt
Guwahati (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday resigned along with his cabinet colleagues, paving the way for formation of a new government led by the BJP, officials said.
The BJP-led NDA bagged 102 seats in the 126-member assembly. The assembly elections were held in a single phase on April 9, and counting of votes took place on May 4.
"Following the formal notification of the results of #AssamElections2026 and to enable the formation of the new government, Dr @himantabiswa tendered his resignation as Chief Minister along with that of the council of Ministers to Hon'ble Governor Shri @Laxmanacharya54 today at Lok Bhawan," the Chief Minister's Office said in a post on X.
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The Governor has accepted the resignation, and requested Sarma to continue as the caretaker CM till the new government assumes office, it said.
Later, speaking to reporters outside the Lok Bhawan, Sarma said the oath-taking ceremony is likely to take place after May 11.
“As it was a historic win, we have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grace the occasion," he said.
The new Assam chief minister will be selected at a meeting of the BJP legislature party in presence of central observers, Sarma said.
