Faridabad MC partly seals hotel over Rs8-crore dues

Bijendra Ahlawat

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Tribune News Service

Faridabad, May 9

The municipal corporation (MC) on Wednesday partially sealed Vibe-The Lalit, a five-star hotel on the National Highway-2 near Sarai Khwaja over non-payment of dues to the tune of Rs 8 crore. The 110-room hotel had reportedly been served a notice prior to the sealing.

Municipal Commissioner Mohammed Shayin said the sealing was carried out by a team led by Ashutosh Rajan, Joint Commissioner, MC (old Faridabad) after the hotel failed to comply with the notice for clearing dues in the time period given.

The team sealed 68 rooms which were unoccupied. The officials accepted the request of hotel staff not to take action on the 42 rooms occupied by 57 guests. A majority of occupied rooms were booked till mid-May and some up to July.

“We have given 24 hours to the hotel authorities to either pay their dues or face sealing of entire hotel premises,” said Rajan. He said the restaurant, bar and three of the four gates were sealed. The banquet hall was allowed to remain open till midnight on Wednesday as it had been booked for a function.

The hotel owed the MC a little over Rs 8 crore towards external development charges and conversion charges for change of land use. The matter dated back to 2004 and the MC had since been seeking pending dues.

The hotel management had moved the local and district courts in 2010 and 2011, respectively, but failed to get relief. The dues, including interest, accumulated to Rs 8.1 crore by December 31 last.

“A show-cause notice was issued to the hotel owner, LP Hospitality Private Limited, on on February 12, but it did not clear pending dues within the stipulated time,” said an official. The hotel management reportedly sought an appointment with the Municipal Commissioner in a fresh bid to resolve the issue.