NDMC to study court notice on Taj Mansingh,holds its decision

In its meeting on Wednesday,the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) did not take any decision on The Taj Mahal Hotel,on Mansingh Road,saying it first needed to examine the court notice sent to it.

The Delhi High Court had asked NDMC to respond to an injunction plea by Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL),which called for restraining the civic agency from auctioning The Taj Mahal Hotel popularly known as Taj Mansingh.

The IHCL has been managing and operating the five-star hotel since NDMC handed it the lease for the property in 1978. After the lease ran out in 2011,the IHCL was given two extensions of one year each,while NDMC deliberated on the next course of action.

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The NDMC decided to hold a public auction to decide on the market rate of the property and noted that the first right of refusal will be given to IHCL.

In its plea to the court,the IHCL submitted that it manages the property on which the hotel stands and pays a revenue-share fee to the NDMC. The company said the agreement with NDMC was a joint venture and in view of the long-term relationship between them,the matter should be reconsidered.

At the NDMC meeting,presided by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit,it was decided that the court notice should be examined first and then a special meeting should be convened this week to take decision.

The council did not find it appropriate to take the decision on Taj Mansingh without examining the court notice in detail. So,a special meeting will be convened this week, Director of Public Relations for NDMC Arun Kumar Mishra said.

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