Mr Rudy, for a start, can we see reforms here?

Records with The Sunday Express show that Rudy has got the Airports Authority of India—that bloated Rs 1,600-cr PSU, itself in dire need of reform—to pick up his tab.

For a bewildering array of facilities: from a five-star New Year vacation in Goa to a new toilet in his residence, from furniture in his office to stationery for his home. Add to that: a wrought iron gate, rods for creepers—even a table top!

Of these, the heftiest single tab is Rs 2,69,200 for four nights and five days Rudy, his wife and her sister spent at the Taj Exotica in North Goa—in Suite number 326 at a rate of Rs 64,800 per day, all taxes included.

For their ‘‘meal plan,’’ the Minister was billed another Rs 10,000 by the hotel.

Rudy and family checked in on the afternoon of December 30 and left on January 3, 2004. When contacted tonight, the duty manager at the hotel confirmed that no payment had been received yet.

Speaking to The Sunday Express from his constituency in Chhapra, Bihar, Rudy said: ‘‘We have not paid any money to the hotel. The reason is that the hotel jacked up the rates. Normally, this kind of accommodation would have been available at Rs 20,000 but they hiked the price to Rs 65 or 70,000. I said I would pay for the personal part but because of the high rate, nothing has been paid so far.’’

But this assurance isn’t reflected on the bill. A copy of the bill, with the newspaper, shows that it was made out in the name of the Civil Aviation Minister himself and with an instruction: ‘‘Bills to Airport Authority of India.’’

Accompanying Rudy and his family on that trip were R.K. Singh, a director in his Ministry, his private secretary Pratyaya Amrit and their wives. Rudy claims he was in Goa to hold review meetings for the AAI. ‘‘I can send you records of all meetings I held to sort out the parking bay and taxing problems for aircraft,’’ the Minister said. Asked why the AAI was paying for the hotel if this was an official trip, Rudy said: ‘‘I don’t know the precedent on this.’’