NDMC skips discussion on Taj auction

NEW DELHI, 23 MAY: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) skipped the
discussion on the Taj Mansingh hotel auction during its council meeting
today.  The two-year lease extension of the iconic hotel in Khan Market
comes to an end in October 2013.

Taj Mansingh’s 33-year lease
agreement ended in October 2011 after which the NDMC fixed upon an
auction of the property, instead of renewing the lease of Indian Hotels
Company (IHCL) which eventually had filed a promulgation suit in the
High Court seeking a stay on the auction. However, IHCL, thereafter was
given a one-year lease extension.

The council was likely to discuss
the Taj Mahal hotel property auction during the meeting but skipped to
discuss the matter with the members. “The matter couldn’t be raised
today as we are going to have a special meeting of the council on a
separate day soon to discuss the Taj Mansingh hotel lease issue,” said
Mrs Tajdar Babar, Vice Chairperson of NDMC. The agency also skipped the
discussion over revamping of Connaught Place, which already surpassed
many deadlines including the last one on April 30, 2013.

The
Connaught Place project, which was stipulated to be completed on March
30, 2013 has already missed many deadlines, was not discussed in the
council’s agenda meeting.