Goa ‘freebie’ turns costly so Rudy signs, sends the cheque

Rudy had claimed the bill hadn’t been paid because the hotel had jacked the room rates but had no explanation for why the AAI had been asked to pick up the tab.

Today, after paying the bill, he maintained his earlier stand. On his return from Patna, he told The Indian Express: ‘‘You should be happy that I have not been able to get the discount that I would have as the hotel jacked up its rates. I have now paid the full amount.’’

The hotel says otherwise.

The Tata-owned Indian Hotels Co Ltd. — operators of Taj group of hotels — has denied that it hiked the room rates without informing the minister.

‘‘At the time of reservation, we make it very clear what rent will be paid by any guest. During every year-end, we ramp up the price like the rest of the industry,’’ said Vice President of Indian Hotels, Ravi Dubey.

‘‘There was no confusion over what Rudy will have to pay for his stay,’’ he said.

But Rudy continues to contest the fact saying he was not told the rates before he checked in. An angry Rudy told the newspaper: ‘‘You have committed a crime by crucifying me before I committed the murder.’’

Taj Exotica is one of Taj group’s most expensive properties located in Salcette, Goa. Its normal room rate is Rs 9,000 per night plus taxes even during non-peak season. The two standard suites in the hotel cost Rs 25,000 per night plus 8 per cent tax while the Presidential Villa suite, the one in which Rudy checked in, costs Rs 40,000 plus 8 per cent taxes in non-peak time.

The Presidential suite No 326 has two bedrooms, a sitting room, a personal plunge pool and garden and a butler service to go with it.

According to Taj officials, Rudy was treated like any other guest and at the time of check-in room rates were made available to all guests. ‘‘Not only Rudy… all guests knew that they will have to pay more for year-end peak season. You could check this out by calling reservations,’’ Dubey said. Rudy was billed Rs 64,800 per day plus another Rs 10,000 for food. His total bill for 4-day stay came to Rs 2,69,000.

Besides the hotel rates, The Sunday Express had reported how AAI had been asked to pick up the tab for a range of facilities for the Minister’s residence as well, including airconditioners, furniture and stationery. To which Rudy’s reply had been: ‘‘The procedure for ministry clearances is so long it’s simpler to get it from PSUs. And anyway, these things remain the property of a PSU.’’

CVC P Shankar, however, sees this as a sign of the malaise. He told The Indian Express: ‘‘PSUs have been extending courtesies to Ministers for travel and at their residences like marble on floors, ACs etc. While I’m not defending this behaviour, we have come to take it in our stride. But what is most worrying is that much worse things are happening…And all because chiefs of PSUs and senior executives are under pressure because their tenures and jobs are determined not on how efficient they are or how good they are for their company but how they take care of ministers and officials in the administrative ministries.’’