Asif Iqbal Naik
EArly Times Report
Jammu, June 15: The government of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday has sealed the world famous Centaur Hotel on the banks of Dal Lake in heart of Srinagar city after it accused Hotel Corporation of India of violating the conditions of the government agreements by subletting the hotel to 3rd party in violation of the lease agreement.
As per the details available with Early Times, the Tehsildar concerned has said that they will not allow anyone to enter the hotel and action would be taken if there is any violation. This move of the J&K government will render 160 employees of Centaur Hotel jobless- who are now appealing to the J&K government to own them as employees of the hotel and not of the hotel corporation of India.
According to the official sources, a prior notice was served to the employees of the Centaur Hotel here in Srinagar, asking them to vacate the premises within 45 days from the date of issuing the eviction notice. The notice according to reports was served to Centaur Hotel employees on 25-04-2022.
As per the notice, the J-K Government has charged the Hotel Corporation of India of violating conditions of the lease agreement by subletting the Hotel to a third party.
It is pertinent to mention that in pursuant to the cabinet decision No. 237 dated 25.06.1979, the then State Government vide Govt order No.118 of 1981 dated 17.10.1981 leased out a piece of land measuring 13 acres to the Hotel Corporation of India Pvt. Ltd. for a period of 99 years and accordingly a lease agreement was executed on 10.03.1982.
The terms and conditions in the agreement stipulated that the ownership rights over the structure on the land shall be equally held by the parties, the use whereof shall be determined by the parties by mutual undertakings and it was also agreed that for matters not covered by the agreement the laws of the J-K State will apply.
Meanwhile, the government has taken over the Centaur Hotel on Tuesday evening and sealed the gates of the building.
However, many employees of Centaur Hotel are refusing to leave the premises of the Hotel after the government decided to seal the building.
“The decision would render 160 employees jobless. We are not against the move, but the employees should also be owned by those who are going to take over the hotel, ” inform Fayaz Ahmad, president of Centaur Hotel Employees Union to media persons.
Pertinently, an order issued by Tehsildar concerned, the copy of which is available with Early Times reads that “it is hereby informed that the Centaur Lake View Hotel, Srinagar has been sealed today on 14th June, 2022, under J-K Public premises (eviction of unauthorised occupants Act, 1988) before me under me seal and signature. ” Therefore, no one is allowed to enter the main gate till further orders otherwise stern action shall be taken under prevalent law,” it further reads.
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