4 min readChandigarhOct 31, 2018 06:04 AM IST
First published on: Oct 31, 2018 at 06:04 AM IST
Deputy General Manager of Shivalikview Sector 17 has been served notice of termination. (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi/file photo)
DEPUTY General Manager of Shivalikview Sector 17 has been served notice of termination for allowing two guests to stay at the hotel despite not paying bills worth Rs 22 lakh. A two-member committee has already been formed to conduct an inquiry to look into the role of the other hotel staff – like those at front office or reception so that further action may be initiated.
Shivalikview is run by the Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO). After two guests, staying at the hotel since April-May, failed to pay bills worth Rs 22 lakh, the hotel staff seized their luxury cars – an Audi and a Chevrolet Cruze. While one of the two had checked out and was asked to deposit the keys of his Audi with the hotel, the other guest, Ashwani Chopra, continued to stay. However on Tuesday, he was asked to leave. Chopra’s Cruze is also at the hotel, wheel clamped.
Confirming the development, CITCO Managing Director Jitender Yadav told Chandigarh Newsline, “In the first place, why were the guests allowed to stay for so long without paying. From July onwards, payment wasn’t coming and for this negligence that led to losses, a notice for termination of service of the DGM has been served. An inquiry is being conducted to look into others’ role.”
Yadav said one guest Ramnik Bansal has agreed to make the payment and hopefully they will get the dues following which he can get his car released.
The MD further stated that in case Chopra doesn’t pay, they will go ahead with the auction of his car as per the law. “We have to recover the amount. Once the two-member committee submits its inquiry, we will proceed further,” he said.
DGM Sudhir Chawla, who has been given one-month termination notice, stated that he had acted swiftly the moment he got to know that dues were outstanding. “I wish at least I could have been given an opportunity to explain. My front office manager told me about the outstanding dues in September and that very moment, I asked the guests to clear all dues. It was then that Chopra gave us the cheques and when they bounced, we immediately conveyed this to the Chief General Manager. I also lodged a complaint with the police but I don’t know why I am not being heard,” he said, adding that it was he who had acted swiftly to seize the cars. Chawla works with CITCO on contract.
While Chopra has said that he would clear the dues within eight to 10 days, Bansal told Newsline that the hotel authorities had made bills in excess and they have been asked to rectify it. He added that the hotel authorities were asking him to pay bills of both rooms.
On April 27, Bansal had checked into the hotel as a walk-in guest in room 427. Next month, on May 23, Chopra, who happened to be Bansal’s friend, checked in room 506. Both told the staff that they were businessmen. They were paying their dues till July 15 but stopped making payment post that date following which an amount of Rs 22 lakh was due towards both of them,” said the hotel staff.
Deputy General Manager of Shivalikview Sector 17 has been served notice of termination. (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi/file photo)
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