SHILLONG: With the State losing revenue due to the non completion of the pending Crowborough Hotel project, the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Chairman David Nongrum and others carried out a spot inspection on Thursday.
The hotel with an area of 28,869 sq.ft. was leased out to Lessly Shylla, a coal trader from Jaintia Hills on May 28, 2008 for a period of 33 years. The project which started in 1980s, was delayed due to various hurdles including court cases. The lease rent for four quarters, which is yet to be paid by Lessly Shylla to MTDC is over Rs 1.91crore. Moreover, the MTDC is also losing revenue in terms of service tax (over Rs 1 crore), excise and luxury taxes. Director Tourism RC Sohkhlet and other officials also inspected the site in the absence of Lessly Shylla.
Though the expected completion date of the project as per the agreement was September 2013, those who manned the construction at the site informed MTDC officials that they will be able to complete the project only in May next year. According to the MTDC chief, the decision whether to give further extension to the firm will be taken during the Board meeting of MTDC.
“The firm should give in writing that it will complete the project in May next and if it further violates the agreement, legal action will be taken”, Nongrum said. The firm had agreed to complete the project in 2009.