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.
ALSO READ: Mysuru hotel owner threatens to take legal action for non-clearance of Rs 80 lakh bill for PM’s stay
“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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Seven arrested in Manipal for ganja, LSD peddling, consumption
Udupi (Karnataka), Aug 18 (PTI): Seven individuals were arrested in Manipal on charges of peddling and consuming narcotics, including ganja and LSD, police said here on Monday.
Four of the accused—Ajish (28), Vipin (32), Bipin (24), and Akhil (26), all from Kerala—were first apprehended after their samples tested positive for ganja consumption. Interrogation revealed that they were being supplied by Manish (34) of Kasaragod.
A raid at Manish’s flat in Vidyaratna Nagar on August 17 recovered 653 grams of ganja, digital scales, a crusher, cash, and a mobile phone. He has been remanded to judicial custody and is counted among the seven arrested.
Separately, a raid on August 16 at a rented room in Ishwara Nagara led to the arrest of Afshin (26) from Kerala and Shivanidhi Acharya (20) of Udupi. Police recovered 1.237 kg of ganja, 0.038 grams of LSD strips, and related paraphernalia.
Investigations indicated that the accused had been targeting both students and migrant workers in Manipal and Mangaluru. The operation was coordinated under the guidance of Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar.
