CIAA aks hotels for clarification

KATHMANDU: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) today sought clarification from a number of hotels and resorts operating in the Chitwan National Park area for not paying royalties and protection fee.

Stating that the hotels and resorts have been operational without paying the royalties and fee, the constitutional anti-graft body asked them to furnish clarifications, if they have any, on why they should not pay the royalties and why the license they obtained should not be cancelled.

According to the CIAA, the Machan Wildlife Resort Pvt Ltd has defaulted a total sum of over Rs 4.63 million of which over Rs lakhs is royalties and remaining being protection fee. Likewise, another hotel --the Rhino Wildlife Pvt Ltd -- has to pay total Rs 4.99 million as royalties and protection fee.

The CIAA also made it clear that the Island Jungle Resort Pvt Ltd is yet to pay over Rs 6 lakhs while Chitwan Jungle Lodge Pvt Ltd has also failed to pay over Rs 3 lakhs. Likewise, over Rs. 2 lakhs is yet to be paid by Temple Tiger Pvt Ltd.

"We've begun investigation into this case after receiving complaints," a highly

placed CIAA source informed this daily.

"After receiving their explanations, we'll recommend the concerned department to cancel their licence and to prosecute them in corruption charge."