AIT notices to hotel owners over unpaid settlement fee

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 11

The Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) has started issuing notices to hotel owners, who haven’t deposited fee even after settlement of their illegal buildings. The AIT has asked the hotel owners to make the payment. The hotels at the District Shopping Complex in Ranjit Avenue have amended the building plans and increased the height of their structures in the recent years.

The government had regularised the hotels and asked the owners to deposit the settlement fee in December 2016. As per the policy, the hotel owners have to deposit the settlement fee immediately. According to information, Rs 10 crore is pending toward these 40 hotels.

Even after two years, the AIT has failed to collect the settlement fee.

A large number of hotel owners at the District Shopping Complex violated the building bylaws by amending building plans. The shop-cum-offices (SCO) have been converted into the hotels. The height of buildings has been increased from 50 feet by violating the rule.

Some of the hotels amended the parking areas.

Rajiv Sekhri, Superintending Engineer, Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT), said, “Hotel owners haven’t submitted the settlement fee. We have issued notices. We will take strict action against the defaulters.”

Officials concerned are preparing a list of building bylaw violators to take action.