Indian trade promotion organization (ITPO) has failed to collect more than Rs 4 crore from the current and former licensees of restaurants and convention halls.  In three of these cases, the ITPO has even knocked the doors of the Delhi high court.

Food plaza restaurants & caterers, the licensee of Phoolwari restaurant, has outstanding dues of around Rs 60 lakh.

The licensee has not paid property tax and electricity charges to the ITPO.

When the ITPO approached the Delhi high to recover the dues, it referred the case to the estate officer which is dealing with it now.

The licensee has also done unauthorized construction in ITPO premises for which it was issued penalties worth Rs 1. 60 lakh.

The license term expired on 29th June 2010.

The information was provided by the ITPO in response to the RTI application filed by Delhi based activist Gopal Prasad.

The amount recoverable from Crystal restaurant, under various heads of account is Rs 59. 42 lakh. ITPO has worked out penalty of Rs 27 lakh on the food and beverages operator of the restaurant.

“ITPO cannot legally take any action against this operator unless the estate officer decides the matter in favour of ITPO and in case eviction order is passed, approval of Delhi high court shall be required to take further necessary action,” said the reply.

According to the information, ITPO has to recover Rs 24, 42, 467 from Crystal restaurant’s licensee for unauthorized use of green area, service tax on green area and other charges.

The amount recoverable from Occasion restaurant is Rs 33. 26 lakh.

“There is no penalty amount in respect of Occasions restaurant,” said the reply signed by M M Nagpal, PIO, dated June 21st, 2010.

“The matter was heard by H C Goel, retired high court judge and it was decided that these matters should be heard by the estate officer. Accordingly, high court of Delhi FAO no. 237- 38/ 2006 referred the matter to estate officer,” said the reply.

The amount due on Bhayana tents and decorators, the licensee of Vatika complex, is Rs 6, 35, 640.

The combined amount outstanding on ex- licensees, amount to more than Rs 2.9 crore.

Soma Chakravarty, ITPO spokesperson, refused to comment on the issue.

“I am not authorised to talk on all these issues. You kindly talk to our general manager,” said she.