Karnataka Government to settle PM Modi’s pending Mysuru hotel bills of Rs 80.6 Lakh
Mysuru: The Karnataka government has announced that it will cover the hotel expenses amounting to Rs 80.6 lakh for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stay at Radisson Blu Plaza during his visit to Mysuru in April 2023. The announcement came after the hotel threatened legal action if the dues were not settled by June 1, 2024.
Prime Minister Modi stayed at the hotel while attending the inauguration of 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).
Addressing the media on Monday, May 27, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre explained that the excess expenditure of Rs 3.33 crore incurred during the event should have been covered by the NTCA, but due to the model code of conduct in place for the Karnataka Assembly elections, the state government has agreed to settle the hotel bills to avoid further issues.
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“The event was a Union government program with an allocated budget of Rs 3 crore, but the actual expenditure rose to Rs 6.33 crore due to short notice. While the Union government disbursed the initial Rs 3 crore, the remaining amount was left unpaid,” Khandre said.
The Hindu reported that the State Forest Department was directed to organize the event from April 9 to 11 with a budget of Rs 3 crore, assured of full financial support from the Union government. However, costs escalated beyond the initial budget, leading to a shortfall of Rs 3.33 crore.
On September 29, 2023, Karnataka’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) wrote to the Deputy Inspector-General of NTCA, New Delhi, requesting the settlement of the outstanding dues. The NTCA responded on February 12, 2024, stating that the additional expenses should be borne by the state government. A reminder was sent on March 22, 2024, highlighting the pending hotel bills for the Prime Minister’s stay.
With no payment forthcoming, Radisson Blu Plaza’s Finance General Manager wrote to the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Basavaraju, on May 21, 2024, reminding him of the dues and indicating that delayed payments would incur an 18% annual interest.
In light of these developments, the Karnataka government has decided to reimburse the hotel to resolve the matter.
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Allahabad HC asks CBI, ED to inquire disproportionate assets allegation against Rahul Gandhi
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate to conduct an inquiry into the allegations of amassing of disproportionate assets by Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
The court has asked the agencies to submit the progress of the inquiry on July 20.
A division bench of Justices Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Zafeer Ahmad passed the order while hearing a criminal writ petition moved by a Karnataka BJP worker, S Vignesh Shishir.
The petitioner has alleged accumulation of disproportionate assets by Gandhi and sought direction of an inquiry into the matter.
The bench conducted an in-chamber hearing in the case on May 12.
In its order published on the high court's website on Thursday, the bench observed, "It is expected that if the complaint of the petitioner has been received, the allegations may be verified as per law. It is needless to say that the CBI or ED may take appropriate steps permissible under the law."
Besides the CBI and ED, the bench has also directed the Central government's Department of Personnel and Training, the Department of Revenue, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Director of Serious Fraud Investigation Office to file their responses on the allegations levelled by the petition within eight weeks.
According to the order, the CBI and the ED have informed the bench that they have received the petitioner's complaint and would file a response before the court.
To a query on whether the petition was maintainable, the bench said that this submission would be tested after receiving the counter-affidavits of the respective parties and the rejoinder affidavits thereof.
The court also ordered its senior registrar to keep the paper-book and the loose documents provided by the petitioner in a sealed cover to be opened on the next hearing.
