V Srinivas Goud, Tourism and Culture Minister, has ordered officials to recover dues from the big entertainment and recreational establishments that were set up as part of PPP (Public-Private Partnership). For the past few years, these establishments have defaulted on a lease payment and revenue sharing.
These establishments operate hospitality and tourism projects on government lands, which were leased to them during the undivided Andhra Pradesh era under the PPP model. According to the agreement, these establishments had to pay annual leases and ADP (additional development premium), also known as revenue share, every year to the state government.
Prasad's IMAX Theatre was given on lease at Necklace Road, Trident Hotel in Madhapur, Expotel Hotel at Lower Tank Bund, Jala Vihar at Necklace Road, Snow World at Lower Tank Bund, Daspalla Hotel in Jubilee Hills, and a Golf Course in Shamirpet.
The amount runs into hundreds of crores of rupees. The major defaulters include Trident Hotel Rs 75.05 crore, Prasad's Imax, which owes Rs 27.45 crore, Expotel Hotel Rs 15.13 crore, Jala Vihar, Rs 6.51 crore, Snow World, Rs 15.01 crore, Daspalla Hotel Rs 5.67crore, and Golf Course Rs 5.58 crore.
Tourism minister V. Srinivas Goud reviewed the status of these PPP projects with officials on Thursday and issued orders to take stringent action against establishments and recover dues. Srinivas Goud has ordered officials to initiate legal action against those who defaulted on their payments. He asked officers to send notices and warn them of discontinuation of civic services if the establishments fail to clear their dues.