Srinagar, Nov 19: Expressing concern over the deal between Air India owned Hotel Corporation of India (HCI) and New Delhi-based DB Realty over Centaur Hotel in Kashmir, the Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday called for an immediate takeover of the Hotel by the state government and a probe into the deal.
 In a statement, a spokesman of the party claimed the deal would harm the vital interests of the state.
 Chief spokesman of the party, Naeem Akhtar, termed the deal as the most “non-profitable for J&K government” and “detrimental” to state economy “that is already reeling under severe financial crisis due to policies of the present coalition.”
 “The details furnished by HCI under RTI Act reveal that no order has been passed that should indicate scrapping of deal between it and DB Reality over offering Centaur Hotel under management contract to the latter. If the RTI application was not filed, the issue would have never come to fore,” Akhtar said.
 He remarked that deal which was inked between Air India and late Sheikh Abdullah-led government 30 years back, was made on the grounds of promoting International tourism to the state and to harness its tourism potential.
 “Since that purpose has never been fulfilled, therefore, the deal stands violated by the Hotel Corporation of India. Sale of this prime property to a third party is against the terms and conditions of original agreement and it should naturally be restored to the state,” Akhtar said.
 He said the “shady nature of the firm to which the property has been sold with apparent consent of state government makes it a fit case for probe,” he said.
 The PDP chief spokesman said that since the HCI had gone back on the conditions of the agreement, the property therefore must be given back to the state government.
 “While in April the government had claimed that it was working on a plan to takeover the hotel and even promote water sports around the Centaur, but the latest revelation suggests otherwise, highlights the callous attitude of the government in handling such important matters,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST