Amid controversy over unpaid bills for Prime Minister Narendra Modi?s stay in Mysuru last April, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre assured that the state government would settle the dues. PM Modi stayed at the Radisson Blu hotel for two days during his visit for the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger in 2023, just before the assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters, Eshwar Khandre stated, ?It has been a tradition for the state government to pay bills of dignitaries like the Prime Minister and President when they visit Karnataka. The then state government did not get involved in hosting the Prime Minister as there was a model conduct of code in place. We will clear the dispute by paying all pending bills.?
Earlier, a report in The Hindu revealed that the Karnataka Forest Department was instructed to conduct the Project Tiger anniversary event from April 9 to 11 at a cost of ?3 crore. The union government had promised to cover the full cost. However, due to time constraints, the event?s cost rose to ?6.33 crore, with the union government providing only ?3 crore.
The Radisson Blu hotel?s finance department sent multiple reminders about the pending bills of ?80.6 lakh for PM Modi?s stay but received no response. The hotel management later threatened legal action if the bills were not settled before June 1, 2024.
